SBIR-STTR Award

The life prediction of turbine engine components is a critical activity inthe design and maintenance of engines. The complex load conditions, high temperatures and environmental effects provide a challenge to the designer and analyst alike. Many factors exist to complicate the analytical process. A number of approaches and techniques are based on the use of linear elastic fracture mechanics with enhancements to account for some of the more demanding requirements of the analysis. A method is proposed to use finite element techniques and purpose written software to incorporate some of these complex conditions into an automated crack growth prediction tool. This requires assessment of contributing factors and a clear method for their incorporation into a software tool. The approach is based on extending existing proven finite element based software for automatic crack growth analysis of arbitrary 3D cracks.

Implementation of higher level features to include effects of variable amplitude loading, crack closure, retardation effects, plasticity, thermal loading, etc. for improved analysis using fracture mechanics approach

Benefits:
Need for advanced Life Prediction Software exists in Aerospace, Nuclear, Automotive, and Offshore industries. With the enhancement proposed in Phase II the Software will become the State-of-the-art technology. We anticipate that there will be clients interested in using this software in various crack assessment studies