Andrew L. Gyekenyesi

Detecting cracks in ceramic matrix composites by electrical resistance

The majority of damage in SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites subjected to monotonic tensile loads is in the form of distributed matrix cracks. These cracks initiate near stress concentrations, such as 90° fiber tows or large matrix pores and continue to accumulate with additional stress until matrix crack saturation is achieved. Such damage is difficult to detect with conventional nondestructive evaluation techniques (immersion ultrasonics, x-ray, etc.). Monitoring a specimens electrical resistance change provides an indirect approach for monitoring matrix crack density. Sylramic-iBN fiber- reinforced SiC composites with a melt infiltrated (MI) matrix were tensile tested at room temperature. Results showed an increase in resistance of more than 500% prior to fracture, which can be detected either in situ or post-damage. A relationship between resistance change and matrix crack density was also determined.

Utilizing a general purpose finite element approach for assessing the rotordynamic response of a flexible disk/shaft system

With continual improvement in computing power and software codes that simulate multiple physical effects, complex analyses can be performed that allow for more accurate modeling of real world systems. Here, a general purpose finite element (FE) code was utilized to conduct a rotordynamic assessment of a rotor system containing a flexible disk. Typically, specialized rotordynamic software packages make numerous assumptions to simplify the various types of rotor response calculations. Disks, for example, are commonly assumed rigid and are represented by lumped masses or discrete beam elements. Such idealizations may cause inaccuracies when calculating critical speeds for rotor systems that involve a relatively flexible disk. By utilizing a general purpose FE approach, where multiple rotational effects are considered, a more accurate model can be developed that includes the dynamic contributions of a flexible disk. This paper illustrates the rotordynamic analysis of a generic, yet realistic, compressor with a shrouded impeller model, without extensive geometric simplification. Furthermore, through the utilization of the fully featured geometry, several dynamic effects are demonstrated to have a significant influence on the rotor system’s Campbell diagram. The dynamic effects investigated include disk flexibility, stress stiffening, and spin softening. It is shown that neglecting any of these may cause significant errors regarding the rotordynamic analysis predictions.