UWE Bristol Engineering showcase 2015
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Shuo Tang<br />
Aerospace <strong>Engineering</strong> B.Eng - Design<br />
Project Supervisor<br />
Dr. Mayo Adetoro<br />
Investigating “Fan Blade Out” of a jet-engine with Finite Element Method<br />
Background<br />
Safety has always been the primary concern for the major manufacturers.<br />
Millions of pounds are invested in order for new aircraft components to pass<br />
the safety test. Many of them such as Jet-engines have to undergo a<br />
destructive fan blade out test, where a fan blade of a Jet engine is released<br />
from the hub while the engine is running at maximum power. Then the<br />
casing has to fully contain the blade fragments for the test to pass. FAA has a<br />
requirement stating all of the new Jet engines have to pass the test in order<br />
to be used on a commercial airline. After the test is done, all components of<br />
those Jet-engines are discarded, in the name of safety. As of <strong>2015</strong>, a Jet<br />
engine costs around $15 million.<br />
By understanding the behaviour of Jet engines during the blade off test and<br />
creating a simulation using Finite Element software that accurately simulates<br />
the process, the traditional fan blade off test may one day be replaced.<br />
Research<br />
Research was done for the following topics<br />
• Cause of a fan blade out<br />
• Material used for Jet engine fans<br />
• Material properties<br />
• Damage Mechanics<br />
Two Simulations were created based on the research conducted.<br />
Results<br />
The first simulation was based on FAA standard conditions where an engine,<br />
whilst travelling at 0.85 cruise velocity has continue to operate and complete<br />
its journey after withstanding a 4lb bird impact.<br />
The second simulation was to see the effect of a fan blade out event, but it<br />
was stopped by the containment case as it was supposed to.<br />
Simulation<br />
Soft Body - Bird<br />
Hard Body - Rock<br />
Project summary<br />
This investigation develops a method of simulating a<br />
“Fan Blade Out” scenario of a jet engine using<br />
Abaqus. By using experimental parameters, a model<br />
simulating continuum damage mechanics that occurs<br />
during a fan blade off event is made.<br />
This method developed so far looks promising and<br />
further development to improve its accuracy can be<br />
looked into.<br />
Project Objectives<br />
• Research the mechanics behind a fan blade out<br />
event<br />
• Familarise with the Finite Element software<br />
Abaqus<br />
• Gather the experimental data for material used<br />
• Simulate an engine ingestion/fan blade out event<br />
In Abaqus<br />
Project Conclusion<br />
The simulation created so far accurately simulates the<br />
damage mechanism of a fan blade during an event of<br />
a foreign object ingestion. But its clear that more<br />
work needs to be done to validate the experiment.
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