EFFECT OF NON-UNIFORM BLADE ROOT FRICTION AND STICKING ON DISK STRESSES

Stress levels predicted by conventional disk modeling assumptions are lower than expected to cause conventional creep or fatigue damage consistent with slot failures experienced in some compressor and turbine disks. It was suspected that disparate slot to slot friction at the blade root surface will result in sticking of some blade roots as the turbine is shut down while adjacent blades slip; the un-resisted stuck root would pry the steeples apart causing additional bending stress. Testing of a blade root/disk slot pair in a load frame found that the blade root will stick in place as imposed radial loads decrease. Simulation of blade root movement during shutdown indicates peak stress can increase by 20% or more depending on geometric factors. The slot stress only rises above its maximum speed condition on shutdown (at 80% Max Speed in the example case). This brief stress rise will not cause significant creep damage, but can shorten disk life based on low cycle fatigue or hold time fatigue damage.