Strength Analysis of a Prototype Composite Helicopter Rotor Blade Spar

Kliza, Rafał; Ścisłowski, Karol; Siadkowska, Ksenia; PADYJASEK, Jacek; Wendeker, M.

doi:10.35784/acs-2022-1

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Another method used since the early stages of aeronautical products is finite element analysis (FEA). Various studies [15][16][17] determine the distribution of equivalent stresses and total displacements for helicopter blades made of composite materials by FEA. Another research direction dedicated to the study of helicopter blades is aerodynamic optimisation using neural networks based on CFD solutions [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manufacturing Process of Helicopter Tail Rotor Blades from Composite Materials Using 3D-Printed Moulds

Torpan,

Zaharia

2024

Applied Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Conventional processes require a mould for the manufacture of each test product, which often results in high costs but is ideal for large series of products. In contrast, for prototypes, additive manufacturing processes are a suitable low-cost time-saving alternative. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the capabilities of 3D-printed tooling in a real-life scenario for composite blades with low production numbers and prototypes in order to allow development and production costs to decrease and to also reduce lead times in the early phases of new projects. The 3D printing process is economically advantageous in terms of production costs for the composite blade mould, reducing the cost three times compared to the conventional manufacturing process. To obtain the composite helicopter blade, the following phases were carried out: the starting design of the mould, 3D printing and assembly of the mould sections, and blade manufacturing. The economic analysis of the two mould manufacturing methods shows an approximately equal ratio between the manufacturing costs of the 3D-printed mould and the manufacturing costs of the blade, whereas in the conventional processes, the costs for mould manufacturing represent 75% of the total cost and the rest (25%) of the cost is spent on blade manufacturing.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manufacturing Process of Helicopter Tail Rotor Blades from Composite Materials Using 3D-Printed Moulds

Torpan,

Zaharia

2024

Applied Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The study included static tests made on the tail rotor blade with the application of electrical and fibre-optic strain gauges, dynamic strain measurements on the tail rotor blade, and experimental modal analyses using piezoceramic accelerometers, microflow, and laser vibrometer sensors. The strength calculation of a prototype of the main rotor blade spar used in an unmanned helicopter was performed by Kliza et al [19] using the finite element method. The mechanical response of different types of helicopter blades and the possibility of replacement of the metal components with composite materials in their construction is currently the subject of extensive scientific research, with both numerical analyses and experimental tests being undertaken in recent years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study included static tests made on the tail rotor blade with the application of electrical and fibre-optic strain gauges, dynamic strain measurements on the tail rotor blade, and experimental modal analyses using piezoceramic accelerometers, microflow, and laser vibrometer sensors. The strength calculation of a prototype of the main rotor blade spar used in an unmanned helicopter was performed by Kliza et al [19] using the finite element method. Eight-layer-laminated composites with [0/45/−45/90] S and [(0/90) 4 ] T laminae distributions were considered as the material for the spar, both with carbon or glass fibre reinforcements.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Composite Helicopter Tail Rotor Blade with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper describes the transition towards a composite structure, with the same overall aerodynamic characteristics, for a tail rotor blade of an IAR330 helicopter. The newly proposed structure of the composite blade is made of a carbon-roving spar embedded with epoxy resin, a hexagonal-cell honeycomb core manufactured by fused deposition modelling, and an outer skin made of multiple carbon-fibre-reinforced laminae. The blade was manufactured by the authors using the hand lay-up method at a scale of 1:3 with respect to the real one, and all stages of the manufacturing process are extensively described in the paper. The experimental tests were performed on an Instron 8872 testing machine by applying a bending force on its free edge, similar to the testing methodology employed by various composite blade manufacturers. A three-dimensional numerical model of the tail rotor blade was conceived, analysed using the finite element method, and validated by comparing the numerical and experimental values of the maximum bending force. Further, the model was used for a complex finite element analysis that showed the very good behaviour of the proposed composite blade during flight and emphasized the main advantages brought by the proposed composite structure.

show abstract

“…Available online: https://doi.org/10.26552/com.C.2024.007 ISSN 1335-4205 (print version) ISSN 2585-7878 (online version) rotor spar beams [9] are also being conducted to assess their load-carrying capacity during aerial operations. There are also solutions aimed at analyzing stresses in shape memory materials, which are also used in aviation [10].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Investigation of Performance of the Rotorcraft Directional Rudder

Novák,

Ścisłowski,

Kliza

et al. 2024

Communications

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The paper presents the results of gyrocopter fuselage experiment testing in a wind tunnel. The model subjected to testing was made in 1:8 scale by 3D printing. The tests included the measurement of forces and aerodynamic moments acting on the model, for a variable fuselage sideslip angle b (-20º to 20º), and for three different positions of the rudder setting (0º, +5º, +10º). The measurement was carried out at an airspeed of 25 to 26 m/s. Based on the measured values, aerodynamic drag coefficients, lift coefficient and aerodynamic moment coefficients with respect to all axes of the reference system, were determined. The measurements carried out have facilitated the derivation of diverse characteristics, validating our conclusions. The results and conclusions drawn from these experiments can be valuable in enhancing the design and functionality of rotorcraft rudders.

show abstract

Strength Analysis of a Prototype Composite Helicopter Rotor Blade Spar

Cited by 4 publications

References 23 publications

Manufacturing Process of Helicopter Tail Rotor Blades from Composite Materials Using 3D-Printed Moulds

Manufacturing Process of Helicopter Tail Rotor Blades from Composite Materials Using 3D-Printed Moulds

A Novel Composite Helicopter Tail Rotor Blade with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

Experimental Investigation of Performance of the Rotorcraft Directional Rudder

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About