Investigation of Air Film Damping

This project will conduct experiments and perform analyses to determine the feasibility and methods for reducing or eliminating high cycle fatigue failures in gas turbine engine turbine blades and other components through the employment of air film damping techniques. Specifically, this project will investigate the efforts of air film damping on the dynamic behavior and modal damping of flat cantilever beams and plates. The effects of several plate and air film parameters on damping performance will be examined. The project will also evaluate the effectivenes of plate fabrication methods, such as bonding, brazing or welding, on airfilm damping performance.