Validation of Test Rig Measurements and Prediction Tools for Friction Interface Modelling

The modelling of friction contact interfaces in structural dynamics attracts much interest in the gas turbine industry. In order to obtain reliable predictions of typical friction interfaces, such as encountered in under platform dampers or blade roots, accurate characteristics of friction interfaces must be provided to the analysis. It must be ensured that a sufficient number of parameters are provided, characterising all aspects of the friction contact, that the values are measured accurately, and that the contact parameters are interpreted and used correctly in the numerical modelling of the contact interfaces. This investigation demonstrates that measured friction coefficient and tangential contact stiffness are sufficient to reproduce the experimental friction interface behaviour and that these two parameters can be measured reliably in the available test rig. In combination with fine nonlinear interface meshes and accurate contact pressure representations, the measured interface behaviour of stick, micro- and macroslip is reproduced with good accuracy. The capability of modelling the microslip behaviour for the contact interface by a multitude of friction contact elements is explored and the effect of the normal stress distribution over the contact area on the microslip is studied.