Forced Response of Mistuned Bladed Discs in Gas Flow: A Comparative Study of Predictions and Full-Scale Experimental Results

An integrated experimental-numerical study of forced response for a mistuned bladed disc has been performed. A full chain for the predictive forced response analysis has been developed including data exchange between the CFD code and a code for the prediction of the nonlinear forced response for a bladed disc. The experimental measurements are performed at a full-scale single stage test rig with excitation by aerodynamic forces from gas flow. Numerical modelling approaches and the test rig setup are discussed. Comparison of experimentally measured and predicted values of blade resonance frequencies and response levels for a mistuned bladed disc without dampers is performed. A good correspondence between frequencies at which individual blades have maximum response levels is achieved. The effects of structural damping and underplatform damper parameters on amplitudes and resonance frequencies of the bladed disc are explored. It is shown that the underplatform damper significantly reduces scatters in values of the individual blade frequencies and maximum forced response levels.