Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes providing a turbomachinery blade having an airfoil connected to a platform in a root region of the turbomachinery blade. The airfoil has a trailing edge extending from the root region to a tip distal from the root region. The method further includes forming a blind relief hole in the platform proximate the trailing edge of the airfoil, and forming a plurality of cooling holes in the platform.

Abstract: A turbomachinery blade having a relief hole in its platform and a method of limiting the formation and/or propagation of cracks in the trailing edge of the blade are provided. The relief hole may be formed in the concave side of the platform proximate the trailing edge along its mean camber line. The relief hole may be circular in cross-section and is blind, i.e., does not exit on any other face of the platform. The relief hole prevents the formation of cracks in the trailing edge of the blade and also slows the propagation of any cracks which may have formed in this region of the blade.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes providing a turbomachinery blade having an airfoil connected to a platform in a root region of the turbomachinery blade. The airfoil has a trailing edge extending from the root region to a tip distal from the root region. The method further includes forming a blind relief hole in the platform proximate the trailing edge of the airfoil, and forming a plurality of cooling holes in the platform.

Abstract: A turbine blade having a plurality of cooling holes which extend from an outside edge of the platform to a cooling passage formed within the turbine blade and a method of limiting the formation of cracks in the platform of the blade are provided. The plurality of cooling holes in the platform are formed at an approximate angle of 45° to the outside edge of the platform and are formed at the approximate mid-point of the thickness of the platform. The cooling holes are generally cylindrical in shape and have a diameter of approximately 50% of the platform thickness.

Abstract: A turbine blade with a compound trailing edge cutback and method of making same is provided to remove cracks which have formed at a trailing edge cooling hole proximate the blade platform. The compound cutback is made along the entire trailing edge of the blade. The compound cutback has three sections. The first section is generally arc-shaped and is formed where the trailing edge of the blade blends into the platform. The second section is linear having a non-zero slope and extends from the root to an intermediate span of the blade. The third section is also linear having an approximately zero slope and extends from the intermediate span of the blade to the tip.