Prof. Thomas Böhlke
R. Böhm
C. Nitsch

Specialisation in mechanics desired
An internship is possible
 

Prof. Thomas Böhlke

Topic Description:

As part of the certification of aircraft engines, particular attention is paid to the demonstration of safe flight operation, including failure scenarios. One scenario to be protected against is the failure (e.g. due to fatigue) of a single rotating blade. In this case, the surrounding casing structure must be able to hold the blade within the engine and prevent it from 'breaking through', thus avoiding any possible impact on the airframe. Short-term dynamic simulation models are generally used to assess the puncture resistance of the casing structures. Both the preparation time for these models and the computational time and cost are significant. Simplified and less costly methods are being sought to assess the dielectric strength in the early stages of development, well before the engine is certified.

The aim of the work is firstly to identify physically motivated analytical models to describe the dielectric strength. Subsequently, their model parameters will be characterised by appropriate numerical investigations. These model parameters will be validated using both numerically generated and real test results. Finally, a recommendation for a simplified method framework will be developed. Non-linear, explicit-dynamic FEM simulations with Ansys LS-Dyna will be used for the numerical investigations.

About the company:
MTU Aero Engines is Germany's leading engine manufacturer and a global player. The company develops, manufactures, markets and supports aircraft engines of all thrust and power categories as well as stationary industrial gas turbines. Some 30% of the world's commercial aircraft are powered by MTU technology.