Conceptual aero-structural design of a fan stage under distorted flow

Abstract

Rotor blades experience unsteady forces and aerodynamic losses when operating in a distorted inflow. The structural analysis of rotors under these conditions, therefore, is of prime importance during the early design phase. This work introduces a computationally efficient design framework that links the aerodynamic design and structural analysis of the rotor. Rotor structural analysis comprises computing dynamic stresses, the excitation frequencies, and resonance margins at various modes of vibration. A design space encapsulating fan stage design variables, aerodynamic performance, and rotor structural constraints is explored and optimized for maximum fan stage efficiency subject to aerodynamic and structural constraints.