Session: 25-02 Component Assessment

Paper Number: 153242

Iterative and Dynamic Analysis of 3d Crack Growth in Turboshaft Engines: A Focus on Blower Stiffness and Vibration 

This study investigates the dynamic response of a gas turbine engine with a particular focus on the role of the blower in the turboshaft engine and its susceptibility to crack formation under high cycle fatigue (HCF). Through modal and harmonic analysis, mode shapes, vibration levels, and phase angles are assessed to find the impact of cyclic loading on the engine’s structural integrity. A finite element analysis (FEA) bases approach is utilized, incorporating a 3D crack growth algorithm that updates the blower’s geometry iteratively. This method captures key changes in stiffness, frequency response, and stress states, along with corresponding shifts in vibration behavior as cracks propagate. The study uniquely models the blower’s response, highlighting its influence on overall engine structural performance and vulnerability to fatigue. By refining the iteration loop and accounting for evolving stiffness change in structure, the approach offers an improved framework for life cycle prediction. Iterative solution results are compared with fixed stress state life cycle prediction and the consequence of stiffness change during crack growth is emphasized. The differences in the results are underlined and conclusions are drawn between the different techniques.

 

Keywords: Blower, vibration, harmonic analysis, frequency response, fatigue crack growth, finite element analysis

 

References:

1-      Shen, G., Gu, F., Yang, Y., Hu, H., & Guan, F. (2023). Theoretical and experimental harmonic analysis of cracked blade vibration. Measurement: Journal of the International Measurement Confederation, 222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2023.113681

2-      Witek, L. (2015). Simulation of crack growth in the compressor blade subjected to resonant vibration using hybrid method. Engineering Failure Analysis, 49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2014.12.004

3-      Zhao, C., Zeng, J., Ma, H., Ni, K., & Wen, B. (2020). Dynamic analysis of cracked rotating blade using cracked beam element. Results in Physics, 19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinp.2020.103360

 

Presenting Author: Sevket Ertekin TUSAS ENGINE INDUSTRIES

Presenting Author Biography: Sevket Ertekin is a structural analysis engineer at TEI (Tusas Engine Industries) in Turkiye. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master's degree in Applied Propulsion System Design. He is currently doing his PhD and his main interests are fracture mechanics and fatigue life of gas turbine engines.

Authors:

Sevket Ertekin TUSAS ENGINE INDUSTRIES
Emre Baldan TUSAS ENGINE INDUSTRIES
Tumay Inal TUSAS ENGINE INDUSTRIES