High-Fidelity Framework for Fluid–Structure Interaction Analysis of Jet-Engine Turbine Blades Under Vibratory Loading

Abstract

Aeroelastic interactions play a decisive role in the performance, structural integrity, and service life of turbomachinery components, with jet engine turbine blades being particularly vulnerable due to their exposure to severe aerodynamic and structural loading. Dynamic fluid–structure interactions can excite complex vibration modes, leading to resonance, fatigue, and even catastrophic failure. While the importance of these effects is well recognized, computational investigations remain scarce, and many existing studies rely on specialized, non-generalizable in-house codes. This study bridges that gap by developing a high-fidelity, generalizable computational framework capable of accurately capturing the coupled aeroelastic behavior of turbine blades under realistic vibratory aerodynamic loading. The framework integrates advanced structural dynamics analysis extracting natural frequencies, harmonic responses, and transient behavior—with unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to resolve time-dependent aerodynamic forces. A tightly coupled two-way Fluid–Structure Interaction (FSI) strategy is employed to fully account for the mutual influence between aerodynamic loading and structural deformation. Validation against available experimental data demonstrates the framework’s predictive reliability and robustness. The results yield critical insights into the dynamic response and aeroelastic stability of turbine blades, offering a practical tool for the design and optimization of next-generation aero-propulsion systems with enhanced performance and durability.