Acoustic and Dynamic Fatique Analysis and Design of Aeropropulsion Structures

Fatigue problem has been an important issue in aeropropulsion system composite structures due to acoustic pressure, vibration and hostile environments. Various forms of damage caused by fatigue loadings can degrade the structural properties. This Phase I research proposes a combined BEM/FEM approach (using 2-D and 3-D elasticity theory) for dynamic analyses of aeropropulsion system structures. The thicker part of the structure or the portion with complex shape will be analyzed using a BEM whereas the thinner section will be analyzed using a FEM. The new BEM proposed will be able to accurately analyze anisotropic materials and structures subjected to acoustic pressure and various forms of dynamic loadings. The proposed methodology will capture the advantages of both the FEMs and the BEMs and achieve an optimal combination of efficiency, accuracy and cost. A user friendly computer program with this BEM/FEM model and a fatigue criterion will be developed for the probabilistic design of aeropropulsion system structures. Dr. Tan and Dr. Li have published individually nearly forty papers related to this topic. Once the computer program is parallelized in phase II of this program it will be an excellent multidisciplinary design and analysis tool for aeropropulsion system involving multi- components.