Modelling, Analysis and Optimisation of Friction Damping in Critical Structures

A 3.5-year PhD Engineering studentship focused on numerical analysis and modelling aimed at the optimisation and development of effective friction dampers for bladed disks in gas-turbine engines. The research will address vibration control in critical structures subjected to dynamic loading, where resonance vibrations can lead to catastrophic failures. The project involves advanced large-scale finite element models combined with existing methods for calculating vibrations with strongly nonlinear interactions at friction contact interfaces. The research aims to develop insights into friction damper designs across a wide range of vibration modes in bladed disks, with results intended to inform industrial design decisions for increasing the lifetime and efficiency of gas-turbine engines. The studentship is supervised by Dr Evgeny Petrov and funded by an industrial partner.