Finite element analysis and modal testing of an industrial radial flow impeller (Funded by Air Products Inc, USA)

Partners: Imperial College of London ( UK ), Air Products Inc. ( USA )

The main aim of the project was a combined of structural and aerodynamics (aeroelasticity) analysis of an industrial impeller to derive design rules to minimise the forced response caused by blade passing and low-engine order excitation.
The solid model of impeller, provided in Pro/Engineer format, was first converted to an ANSYS finite element model. The model was used to predict the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the impeller. Several element types and boundary condition variants were considered for best modelling. The modal analysis was carried out on the impeller using both accelerometers and LDV. The FE modelling was then verified against actual vibration testing of the impeller. A design parameter sensitivity evaluation and classification of a typical impeller was also conducted. Next, the model was used for aeroelasicity calculations.
In order to carry out the aeroelasticity, a 3D unstructured code was developed and used to mesh the impeller and its surrounding fluid environment.