Аннотация
This article presents the results of a comprehensive study on the vibration reliability and long-term durability of hydraulic units in small hydropower plants (SHPs). The main sources of vibrations – hydraulic shocks, pressure pulsations, turbulent velocity fluctuations, cavitation processes, and resonance effects – are examined in detail. Numerical modelling of unsteady hydrodynamic processes, spectral vibration analysis, and fatigue life assessment of metal structures were performed. The stress – strain state of pipelines, turbine assemblies, and concrete components of the hydraulic unit was analysed using the finite element method. Based on the obtained results, engineering recommendations were developed to improve the durability of SHP structures by 20-40%.