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Srinivasan, A. V.

Publications and source records attributed to Srinivasan, A. V..

An experimental investigation of the structural dynamics of a torsionally soft rotor in vacuum

An extensive data base of structural dynamic characteristics has been generated from an experimental program conducted on a torsionally soft two-bladed model helicopter rotor system. Measurements of vibratory strains for five modes of vibration were made at twenty-one locations on the two blades at speeds varying from 0 to 1000 RPM and for several combinations of precone, droop and flexure stiffness. Tests were conducted in vacuum under carefully controlled conditions using a unique excitation device with a system of piezoelectric crystals bonded to the blade surface near the root. Frequencies, strain mode shapes and dampings are extracted from the time histories and can be used to validate structural dynamics codes. The dynamics of the system are such that there is a clear tendency for the first torsion and second flap modes to couple within the speed range considered. Strain mode shapes vary significantly with speed and configuration. This feature is important in the calcualtion of aeroelastic instabilities. The tension axis tests confirmed that the modulus-weighted centroid for the nonhomogeneous airfoil is slightly off the mass centroid and validated previous static tests done to determine location of the tension axis.

Srinivasan, A. V.↗

Dynamic characteristics of an assembly of prop-fan blades

In contrast to conventional propellers, propfan blades are thin and highly swept-back, thereby giving rise to large bending and twisting deformations and complex vibratory characteristics. Aerodynamic performance depends on the extent of steady state deformation, and the aeroelastic response depends on the vibratory frequency and mode shape. Attention is presently given to the principal results of structural analyses for a five-bladed propfan assembly; these results are compared with test data. The results encompass both steady deformations and vibratory frequencies and mode shapes in a vacuum centrifugal environment.

Srinivasan, A. V.↗

Advanced turboprop vibratory characteristics

The assembly of SR5 advanced turboprop blades to develop a structural dynamic data base for swept props is reported. Steady state blade deformation under centrifugal loading and vibratory characteristics of the rotor assembly were measured. Vibration was induced through a system of piezoelectric crystals attached to the blades. Data reduction procedures are used to provide deformation, mode shape, and frequencies of the assembly at predetermined speeds.

Srinivasan, A. V.↗

Turbojet engine blade damping

The potentials of various sources of nonaerodynamic damping in engine blading are evaluated through a combination of advanced analysis and testing. The sources studied include material hysteresis, dry friction at shroud and root disk interfaces as well as at platform type external dampers. A limited seris of tests was conducted to evaluate damping capacities of composite materials (B/AL, B/AL/Ti) and thermal barrier coatings. Further, basic experiments were performed on titanium specimens to establish the characteristics of sliding friction and to determine material damping constants J and n. All the tests were conducted on single blades. Mathematical models were develthe several mechanisms of damping. Procedures to apply this data to predict damping levels in an assembly of blades are developed and discussed.

Srinivasan, A. V.↗

Effects of mistuning on blade torsional flutter

An analytical model for the prediction of fan blade flutter is presented and evaluated using data from NASA tests on an advanced high performance engine. For the cascade conditions appropriate to the test points studied, the aerodynamic theory cannot predict subcritical flutter. Under the assumptions of a tuned assembly, the imaginary part of the aerodynamic coefficients does indicate flutter for a limited number of interblade phase angles, but these interblade phase angles are close to those at which the acoustic resonance is predicted. Upon using the individual blade frequencies and solving the mistuned system with aerodynamic coupling only, the results show a stable system. Eigenvectors calculated for the mistuned system demonstrate the presence of several harmonics in each mistuned mode. Inclusion of both mechanical and aerodynamic coupling in the solution of the eigenproblem influences not only the frequencies but also damping in the system with a trend toward stability.

Srinivasan, A. V.↗

Influence of mistuning on blade torsional flutter

An analytical technique for the prediction of fan blade flutter was evaluated by utilizing first stage fan flutter data from tests on an advanced high performance engine. The formulation includes both aerodynamic and mechanical coupling among all the blades of the assembly. Mistuning is accounted for in the analysis so that individual blade inertias, frequencies, or damping can be considered. Airfoil stability was predicted by calculating a flutter determinant, the eigenvalues of which indicate the extent of susceptibility to flutter. When blade to blade differences in frequencies are considered, a stable system is predicted for the test points examined. For a tuned system, it was found that torsional flutter can be predicted at a limited number of interblade phase angles. Examination of these phase angles indicated that they were "close" to the condition of acoustic resonance. For the range of Mach numbers and reduced frequencies considered, the so called subcritical flutter cannot be predicted. The essential influence of mechanical coupling among the blades is to change the frequencies of the system with little or no change in damping; however, aerodynamic coupling together with mechanical coupling could change not only frequencies, but also damping in the system, with a trend toward instability.

Srinivasan, A. V.↗