Combined Analytical and Experimental Approaches to Rotor and Dynamic Component Stress Predictions

The objective of this proposal is to combine analytical modeling and experimental data to dramatically improve the accuracy of predictions for individual blade loads and stresses in dynamic components. The overall proposed approach can be summarized as follows: 1) An iterative load/strain convergence analysis toolkit is developed that combines measured rotor loads data with numerical modeling techniques to improve loads predictions across broad flight regimes. 2) A sensor/measurand optimization is performed, wherein the required set of measurands (type and hierarchy) are defined. 3) A system degradation analysis is performed to determine the effects of loss of measurement on the analysis. 4) the proposed procedure is validated by performing well-controlled laboratory experiments.