Multi-blade effects on aero-engine blade containment

To study the effects of multi-blade interaction on the blade containment capability of the aero-engine casing, series of blade containment tests and the corresponding numerical analysis for the fan and the turbine components are carried out. Numerical models are validated through the correlation of the numerical results with the experimental data. Combined with the experiments and the FEM analysis, it is found that multi-blade effects enhance the penetration ability of the released blade for both the fan and the turbine components. Consequently, the containment capability of the casing is weakened for the fan stage. But for the turbine stage, the containment capability of the turbine casing varies significantly with deviation of the impact site, which is caused by the multi-blade effects. If the impact site moves to the circular groove on the inner wall of the turbine casing, the casing's containment capability is significantly enhanced; otherwise, the containment capability of the turbine casing remains weakened. (C) 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.