PhD Studentship in sensitivity and uncertainty of dynamic and static deformation of gas-turbine bladed discs with friction joints.

Bladed discs are one of the most critical and heavily loaded components of gas-turbine engines. Increasing requirements for efficiency, reliability and environmental friendliness of gas-turbine engines demand from the industry development of new designs and, hence, the effective methods for numerical analysis of bladed discs which can enable such a development are needed.

This project is aimed at development of numerical methods for the effective analysis of sensitivity of bladed discs to variation of some design parameters for specified characteristics. Moreover, the sensitivity-based methods allowing fast assessment of effects of variability and uncertainty of material properties and geometry of blades on the static deformation and vibration amplitudes of bladed discs will be developed.

Realistic large-scale finite element models will be used for bladed discs and the nonlinear interaction forces at blade-disc and shroud friction contact interfaces and anisotropy of material properties will be allowed for. Two major types of deformation will be considered: (i) static and (ii) dynamic. The sensitivity and statistic characteristics will be analysed for a number of characteristics for structural deformation, including: stresses, strains, natural frequencies, mode shapes and vibration amplitudes.

The PhD study will be performed in a close cooperation with an industrial customer within a research project fully-funded by one of the leading European gas-turbine engine company.

To apply, please send your CV, all transcripts of your university studies, with a cover letter specifying your interest to the following email address: [Email Address Removed]. Please direct general enquiries to: [Email Address Removed]