A Tool for Probabilistic Damage Tolerance of Hole Features in Turbine Engine Rotors

Author(s):  
Michael P. Enright ◽  
R. Craig McClung ◽  
Wuwei Liang ◽  
Yi-Der Lee ◽  
Jonathan P. Moody ◽  
...  

Over the past two decades, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the aircraft engine industry (organized through the Rotor Integrity Sub-Committee (RISC) of the Aerospace Industries Association) have been developing enhanced life management methods to address the rare but significant threats posed by undetected material or manufacturing anomalies in high-energy rotating components of gas turbine engines. This collaborative effort has led to the release of several FAA advisory circulars providing guidance for the use of probabilistic damage tolerance methods as a supplement to traditional safe-life methods. The most recent such document is Advisory Circular (AC) 33.70-2 on “Damage Tolerance of Hole Features in High-Energy Turbine Rotors.” In parallel with this effort, the FAA has also been funding research and development activities to develop the technology and tools necessary to implement the new methods, including a series of grants led by Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®). The most significant outcome of these grants is a probabilistic damage tolerance computer code called DARWIN® (Design Assessment of Reliability With INspection). DARWIN integrates finite element models and stress analysis results, fracture mechanics models, material anomaly data, probability of crack detection, and uncertain inspection schedules with a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) to determine the probability of fracture of a rotor disk as a function of operating cycles with and without inspection. This paper provides an overview of new DARWIN models and features that directly support implementation of the new AC on hole features. The paper also simultaneously provides an overview of the AC methodology itself. Component geometry and stresses are addressed through an interface with commercial three-dimensional finite element (FE) models, including management of multiple load steps and multiple missions. Calculations of fatigue crack growth (FCG) life employ a unique interface with the FE models, sophisticated new stress intensity factor solutions for typical crack geometries at holes, shakedown modules, a menu of common FCG equations, and algorithms to address the effects of varying temperatures on crack growth rates. The primary random variables are based on the default anomaly distributions and probability-of-detection (POD) curves provided directly in the AC. Fracture risk is computed on a per-feature basis using one of several available computational methods including importance sampling, response surface, and Monte Carlo simulation. The approach is illustrated for risk prediction of a representative gas turbine engine disk. The results can be used to gain a better understanding of the AC and how the problem is solved using the probabilistic damage tolerance framework provided in DARWIN.

Author(s):  
Jonathan P. Moody ◽  
Michael P. Enright ◽  
Wuwei Liang

High-energy rotating components of gas turbine engines may contain rare material anomalies that can lead to uncontained engine failures. The Federal Aviation Administration and the aircraft engine industry have been developing enhanced life management methods to address the rare but significant threats posed by these anomalies. One of the outcomes of this effort has been a zone-based risk assessment methodology in which component fracture risk is estimated using groupings of elements called zones that are associated with 2D finite element (FE) stress and temperature models. Previous papers have presented processes for creation of zones either manually or via an automatic algorithm in which zones are assigned to each finite element in a component model. These processes may require significant human time and computer time. The focus of this paper is on the optimal allocation of multiple finite elements to zones that minimizes the total number of zones required to compute the fracture risk of a component. An algorithm is described that uses a relatively coarse response surface method to estimate the conditional risk value at each node in a finite element model. Zones are initially defined for each finite element in the model, and the algorithm identifies and merges zones based on minimizing the influence on component risk. The process continues until all of the zones have been merged into a single zone. The zone sequence is applied in reverse order to identify the minimum number of zones that satisfies component target risk or convergence threshold constraints. This solution provides the optimal allocation of finite elements to zones. The algorithm is demonstrated for a representative gas turbine engine component. The approach significantly improves the computational efficiency of the zone-based risk analysis process.


Author(s):  
Neil Bates ◽  
David Lee ◽  
Clifford Maier

This paper describes case studies involving crack detection in-line inspections and fitness for service assessments that were performed based on the inspection data. The assessments were used to evaluate the immediate integrity of the pipeline based on the reported features and the long-term integrity of the pipeline based on excavation data and probabilistic SCC and fatigue crack growth simulations. Two different case studies are analyzed, which illustrate how the data from an ultrasonic crack tool inspection was used to assess threats such as low frequency electrical resistance weld seam defects and stress corrosion cracking. Specific issues, such as probability of detection/identification and the length/depth accuracy of the tool, were evaluated to determine the suitability of the tool to accurately classify and size different types of defects. The long term assessment is based on the Monte Carlo method [1], where the material properties, pipeline details, crack growth parameters, and feature dimensions are randomly selected from certain specified probability distributions to determine the probability of failure versus time for the pipeline segment. The distributions of unreported crack-related features from the excavation program are used to distribute unreported features along the pipeline. Simulated crack growth by fatigue, SCC, or a combination of the two is performed until failure by either leak or rupture is predicted. The probability of failure calculation is performed through a number of crack growth simulations for each of the reported and unreported features and tallying their respective remaining lives. The results of the probabilistic analysis were used to determine the most effective and economical means of remediation by identifying areas or crack mechanisms that contribute most to the probability of failure.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jennie Palmer

Within the gas turbine engine, the high transient thermal stresses developed due to variations in power requirements during a typical flight cycle give rise to the phenomenon of thermo-mechanical fatigue (TMF). Associated with higher operating temperatures, the study of TMF within the gas turbine engine has mainly been focused on materials used in the latter turbine sections. However, the increasing temperatures to improve operating efficiency have led to the requirements for an understanding of the TMF behaviour in materials used for the later stages of the compressor. As such, fatigue crack growth rates are required to be evaluated under non-isothermal conditions along with the development of a detailed understanding of related failure mechanisms. In the current study a bespoke TMF crack growth (TMFCG) test set up has been developed and validated to investigate the TMFCG behaviour of the titanium alloy, Ti-6246. The study has explored the effects of phasing between mechanical loading and temperature, as well as the effects of maximum cycle temperature. Results show in-phase (IP) test conditions to have faster crack growth rates than out-of-phase (OP) test conditions, due to increased temperature at peak stress and therefore increased time-dependent crack growth. Fractography evidences subtle differences in fracture mechanisms and the microstructural analysis along the crack path has aided the characterisation of damage mechanisms in IP and OP test conditions.


Author(s):  
Michael P. Enright ◽  
R. Craig McClung ◽  
Kwai S. Chan ◽  
John McFarland ◽  
Jonathan P. Moody ◽  
...  

Materials engineering and damage tolerance assessment have traditionally been performed as disjoint processes involving repeated tests that can ultimately prolong the time required for certification of new materials. Computational advances have been made both in the prediction of material properties and probabilistic damage tolerance analysis, but have been pursued primarily as independent efforts. Integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) has the potential to significantly reduce the time required for development and insertion of new materials in the gas turbine industry. A manufacturing process software tool called DEFORM™ has been linked with a probabilistic damage tolerance analysis (PDTA) software tool called DARWIN® to form a new capability for ICME of gas turbine engine components. DEFORM simulates rotor manufacturing processes including forging, heat treating, and machining to compute residual stress and strain, track anomaly location, and predict microstructure including grain size and orientation. DARWIN integrates finite element stress analysis results, fracture mechanics models, material anomaly data, probability of anomaly detection, and inspection schedules to compute the probability of fracture of a gas turbine engine rotor as a function of operating cycles. Previous papers have focused on probabilistic modeling of residual stresses in DARWIN based on manufacturing process training data from DEFORM. This paper describes recent efforts to extend the probabilistic link between DEFORM and DARWIN to enable modeling of residual strain, average grain size, and ALA (unrecrystalized) grain size as random variables. Gaussian Process modeling is used to estimate the relationship among model responses and material processing parameters. These random variables are applied to microstructure-based fatigue crack nucleation and growth models for use in probabilistic risk assessments. The integrated DARWIN-DEFORM capability is demonstrated for a representative engine disk model which illustrates the influences of manufacturing-induced random variables on component fracture risk. The results provide critical insight regarding the potential benefits of integrating probabilistic computational material processing models with probabilistic damage tolerance-based risk assessment.


Author(s):  
Michael P. Enright ◽  
Kwai S. Chan ◽  
Jonathan P. Moody ◽  
Patrick J. Golden ◽  
Ramesh Chandra ◽  
...  

Fretting fatigue is a random process that continues to be a major source of damage associated with the failure of aircraft gas turbine engine components. Fretting fatigue is dominated by the fatigue crack growth phase and is strongly dependent on the magnitude of the stress values in the contact region. These stress values often have the most influence on small cracks where traditional long-crack fracture mechanics may not apply. A number of random variables can be used to model the uncertainty associated with the fatigue crack growth process. However, these variables can often be reduced to a few primary random variables related to the size and location of the initial crack, variability associated with applied stress and crack growth life models, and uncertainty in the quality and frequency of non-deterministic inspections. In this paper, an approach is presented for estimating the risk reduction associated with non-destructive inspection of aircraft engine components subjected to fretting fatigue. Contact stress values in the blade attachment region are estimated using a fine mesh finite element model coupled with a singular integral equation solver and combined with bulk stress values to obtain the total stress gradient at the edge of contact. This stress gradient is applied to the crack growth life prediction of a mode I fretting fatigue crack. A probabilistic model of the fretting process is formulated and calibrated using failure data from an existing engine fleet. The resulting calibrated model is used to quantify the influence of inspection on the probability of fracture of an actual military engine disk under real life loading conditions. The results can be applied to quantitative risk predictions of gas turbine engine components subjected to fretting fatigue.


Author(s):  
M. P. Enright ◽  
R. C. McClung ◽  
S. J. Hudak ◽  
H. R. Millwater

The risk of fracture associated with high energy rotating components in aircraft gas turbine engines can be sensitive to small changes in applied stress values which are often difficult to measure and predict. Although a parametric approach is often used to characterize random variables, it is difficult to apply to multimodal densities. Nonparametric methods provide a direct fit to the data, and can be used to estimate the multimodal densities often associated with rainflow stress data. In this paper, a comparison of parametric and nonparametric methods is presented for density estimation of rainflow stress profiles associated with military aircraft gas turbine engine usages. A nonparametric adaptive kernel density estimator algorithm is illustrated for standard parametric probability density functions and for rainflow stress pairs associated with F-16/F100 engine usages. The kernel estimates are compared to parametric estimates, including a hybrid approach based on separate treatment of maximum stress pairs. The results provide some insight regarding the strengths and weaknesses of parametric and nonparametric density estimation methods for gas turbine engines, and can be used to develop improved stress estimates for probabilistic life predictions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuradha Nayak Majila ◽  
Rajeev Jain ◽  
Chandru Fernando D. ◽  
S. Ramachandra

<p>Studies the impact response of flat Titanium alloy plate against spherical projectile for damage analysis of aero engine components using experimental and finite element techniques. Compressed gas gun has been used to impart speed to spherical projectile at various impact velocities for damage studies. Crater dimensions (diameter and depth) obtained due to impact have been compared with finite element results using commercially available explicit finite element method code LS-DYNA. Strain hardening, high strain rate and thermal softening effect along with damage parameters have been considered using modified Johnson-Cook material model of LS-DYNA. Metallographic analysis has been performed on the indented specimen. This analysis is useful to study failure analysis of gas turbine engine components subjected to domestic object damage of gas turbine engine. </p><p> </p>


Aero Gas Turbine engines power aircrafts for civil transport application as well as for military fighter jets. Jet pipe casing assembly is one of the critical components of such an Aero Gas Turbine engine. The objective of the casing is to carry out the required aerodynamic performance with a simultaneous structural performance. The Jet pipe casing assembly located in the rear end of the engine would, in case of fighter jet, consist of an After Burner also called as reheater which is used for thrust augmentation to meet the critical additional thrust requirement as demanded by the combat environment in the war field. The combustion volume for the After burner operation together with the aerodynamic conditions in terms of pressure, temperature and optimum air velocity is provided by the Jet pipe casing. While meeting the aerodynamic requirements, the casing is also expected to meet the structural requirements. The casing carries a Convergent-Divergent Nozzle in the downstream side (at the rear end) and in the upstream side the casing is attached with a rear mount ring which is an interface between engine and the airframe. The mechanical design parameters involving Strength reserve factors, Fatigue Life, Natural Frequencies along with buckling strength margins are assessed while the Jet pipe casing delivers the aerodynamic outputs during the engine operation. A three dimensional non linear Finite Element analysis of the Jet pipe casing assembly is carried out, considering the up & down stream aerodynamics together with the mechanical boundary conditions in order to assess the Mechanical design parameters.


Author(s):  
Wasim Tarar ◽  
M.-H. Herman Shen

High cycle fatigue is the most common cause of failure in gas turbine engines. Different design tools have been developed to predict number of cycles to failure for a component subjected to fatigue loads. An energy-based fatigue life prediction framework was previously developed in recent research for prediction of axial and bending fatigue life at various stress ratios. The framework for the prediction of fatigue life via energy analysis was based on a new constitutive law, which states the following: the amount of energy required to fracture a material is constant. A finite element approach for uniaxial and bending fatigue was developed by authors based on this constitutive law. In this study, the energy expressions that construct the new constitutive law are integrated into minimum potential energy formulation to develop a new QUAD-4 finite element for fatigue life prediction. The newly developed QUAD-4 element is further modified to obtain a plate element. The Plate element can be used to model plates subjected to biaxial fatigue including bending loads. The new QUAD-4 element is benchmarked with previously developed uniaxial tension/compression finite element. The comparison of Finite element method (FEM) results to existing experimental fatigue data, verifies the new finite element development for fatigue life prediction. The final output of this finite element analysis is in the form of number of cycles to failure for each element in ascending or descending order. Therefore, the new finite element framework can predict the number of cycles to failure at each location in gas turbine engine structural components. The new finite element provides a very useful tool for fatigue life prediction in gas turbine engine components. The performance of the fatigue finite element is demonstrated by the fatigue life predictions from Al6061-T6 aluminum and Ti-6Al-4V. Results are compared with experimental results and analytical predictions.


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