Experimental aeroelastic analysis of flexible rotating blades with optical laser vibrometer

Abstract

Experimental analysis of fluid-structure interactions on flexible rotating blades in real operational conditions is a useful tool to understand the behavior of the structure undergoing aeroelastic phenomena. Moreover, it represents a challenging task as well since external interference sources could alter the studied phenomena. For instances, the instrumentation to measure the dynamic deformations must consist of non-intrusive technical means without perturbing the systems. In this context, an experimental test bench is developed and it is presented with the equipped sensor for the aeroelastic analysis purpose. Modal analysis of the rotating flexible blades, through a scanning laser vibrometer equipped with a derotator system, has been held and aerodynamic performance measurements through the dynamic torque have been performed. Finally, experimental Campbell diagrams have been plotted to detect the potential modal coupling between bending and torsional frequencies within the interval of the operational rotating speed of the test bench.