Three gas turbine and steam combined cycle power generating units in Virginia discharged spent steam to a large air cooled condenser system through a series of 176 inch diameter main vertical riser ducts which then split into branching 126 inch diameter horizontal distribution ducts. The vertical and horizontal ducts were thermal expansion compensated by restrained expansion joints. On initial start-up, the vertical compensators failed in compression and the horizontal compensators failed in transverse shear.
In 2018, GES Tech Group, Inc. was retained by the installation subcontractor to determine the root cause of the total failure of the thermal compensation design and to represent the subcontractor in legal proceedings initiated by the plant owner.
