Experimental and Numerical Analyses of Radial Turbine Blisks With Regard to Mistuning

Abstract

The effect of blade frequency mistuning on the forced response of integral radial turbines is studied by means of experimental and numerical analyses. Blade dominated frequencies representing the mistuning are identified based on blade by blade measurements using the example of a MTU ZR140 turbine blisk. Based on these results, numerical simulations of the blade by blade measurements are performed, aiming to update the originally ideal (tuned) finite element model. The damping information to be considered in the update process is taken from results of an experimental modal analysis. The quality of the model is proved by well correlated frequency response functions (FRF) of numerical and experimental analyses. Finally, the models are used to simulate the forced response due to travelling wave excitations. As a result, mode localization phenomena and response amplifications compared to tuned blisks are proved. In order to round off the contribution to a more enhanced understanding of the radial turbine blisk dynamics optically based geometry measurements are performed to assess the influence of geometrical deviations on frequency mistuning. It is shown that geometric imperfections can be the main driver causing a mistuned response characteristic.