Simulation studies on combined effect of variable geometry, rotation and temperature gradient on critical speed of gas turbine disc

PurposeThe present findings report a significant influence of disc profile and thickness on the order of excitation leading to critical speed condition. Certain transverse modes of vibration of the disc have been obtained to be more susceptible to get excited while recording the lowest critical speeds.Design/methodology/approachNumerical simulation using finite-element method has been adopted due to the complicated geometry, complex loadings and intricate analytical formulation. A comprehensive analysis of exclusive as well as combination of thermal and centrifugal loads has been taken up to determine the intensity and characteristics of the individual/combined effects.FindingsThe typical gas turbine disc profile has been analyzed to predict the critical speed under the factual working condition of an aero-engine. FEM analysis of uniform and variable thickness discs have been carried out under stationary, rotating and rotating-thermal considerations while emphasizing the effect of disc profile and thickness. Centrifugal stresses developed due to rotational effect result in unceasing stiffening of the discs with higher stiffening for a greater number of nodal diameters. On the other hand, a role reversal of thermal effect from stiffening to softening is figured out with increasing numbers of nodal diameters. However, the discs are subjected to an overall stiffening effect on account of the combined centrifugal and thermal loading, with the effect decreasing with an increase in disc thickness. Under the combined loading, the order of excitation leading to critical speed condition is dependent on disc profile and thickness. Moreover, the vibrational modes (0,1) and (0,2) are identified as more prominent adverse modes corresponding to lowest critical speeds.Practical implicationsThe present findings are expected to serve as guidelines during the design phase of gas turbine discs of aeroengine applications.Originality/valueThe present work deliberates on the simulation and analysis of gas turbine disc specific to aeroengine application. The real-life disc geometry has been analyzed with due consideration of major factual operating conditions to identify the critical speed. The identification of various critical speed using numerical analysis can help to reduce the number of experimental tests required for certification.