NUMERICAL METHODS FOR THE SIMULATION OF DEFORMATIONS AND STRESSES IN TURBINE BLADE FIR-TREE CONNECTIONS

Abstract

In this work, different numerical methods for simulating deformations and stresses in turbine blade fir-tree connections are examined. The main focus is on the Method of Dimensionality Reduction (MDR) and the Boundary Element Method (BEM). Generally, the fir-tree connections require a computationally expensive finite element setup. Their complex geometry exceeds the limitations of the faster numerical techniques which are used with great success within the framework of the half-space approximation. Ways of extending the application range of the MDR and the BEM to the particular problem of highly undulating surfaces of the fir-tree connection are shown and discussed.