Aircraft Engine Structural Rotor-Stator Modal Interaction

In modern turbo machines such as aircraft jet engines, contact between the casing and bladed disk may occur through a variety of mechanisms: coincidence of vibration modes, thermal deformation of the casing, rotor imbalance, etc. These nonlinear interactions may result in severe damage to both structures and it is important to understand the physical mechanisms that cause them and the circumstances under which they occur. In this study, we focus on the phenomenon of interaction caused by modal coincidence. A simple two-dimensional model of the casing and bladed disk structures is introduced in order to predict the occurrence of the interaction phenomenon versus the rotation speed of the rotor. Each structure is represented in terms of its two k-nodal diameter vibration modes, which are characteristic of axi-symmetric structures and allow for travelling wave motions that may interact through direct contact. The equations of motion are solved using an explicit time integration scheme in conjunction with the Lagrange multiplier method where friction is considered. Results of the numerical tool and theory show good agreement in the prediction of rotational speed to be avoided. To conclude, the mathematical statements of a multi-frequency domain-method are proposed. This method is to be used to circumvent numerical issues inherent to time-marching procedures.