Effect of Geometric Imperfections on the

Mistuning of Turbine Blades

Cagdas Kafali (cxk50@po.cwru.edu)

and

Dario A. Gasparini, Professor (dag6@po.cwru.edu)

 

Department of Civil Engineering

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH 44106-7201

 

Abstract

 

     The dynamic behavior of all rotor assemblies is very sensitive to small variations in the structural dynamic characteristics (natural frequencies and mode shapes) between individual blades caused by geometric imperfections on the blade surface. Mechanical and aerodynamic coupling of blades is also sensitive to geometric imperfections.

 

     The effects of geometric perturbations on torsional and flexural mode coupling of an individual blade are examined. Mechanical coupling (through the disk) between different blades is discussed. 

 

     A statistical approach is needed to analyze the coupling behavior of higher modes where the number of frequencies in a range is known but not the exact frequency locations. A finite element model (using ANSYS), which includes axial stiffening effect due to radial acceleration, is used for analysis.