Geometrically nonlinear transient analyses of rotating structures through high-fidelity models

Abstract

This work presents geometrically nonlinear transient analyses of various rotating blades. The structures are discretized through refined beams or multi-dimensional finite element models, which are generated using the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF). The CUF offers a procedure to develop low- and high-fidelity one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional finite element models hierarchically and automatically. Various beam models were developed using different kinematics models based on Taylor or Lagrange expansion functions. Multi-dimensional models were obtained by merging beam and solid elements, exploiting the unique feature of Lagrange polynomials to have only pure displacements as unknowns. This property allows beam and solid elements to be coupled at the node level without requiring complicated mathematical formulations. By utilizing the Finite Element Method in conjunction with the CUF, the governing equations are written by including all rotation effects, namely the Coriolis term, spin-softening, and geometrical stiffening. In a total Lagrangian scenario, the Hilbert-Hughes-Taylor-α method and the iterative Newton-Raphson scheme are employed to solve the equations of motion. The proposed methodology has been applied to evaluate different blade configurations, comparing the solution obtained using linear, linearized, and nonlinear approaches. The results have been verified and validated by comparing them with existing solutions present in the literature.