On dynamic analysis of variable thickness disks and complex rotors subjected to thermal and mechanical prestresses

This paper is focused on the analysis of complex rotating structures subjected to plausible operating conditions. Effects of the temperature gradient and the centrifugal stiffening contribution have been evaluated. In particular, the analyses have been performed considering disks with constant and variable thicknesses, which have been assumed either clamped at the bore or supported by a deformable shaft. The prestress contributions have been obtained through the integration of the three-dimensional stress state, which is generated by centrifugal and thermal loads, multiplied by the non-linear terms of the strain field. The weak form of the governing equations has been solved using the Finite Element method. High-fidelity one-dimensional elements have been developed according to the Carrera Unified Formulation. The comparisons between the current results and those obtained from solid finite element solutions have demonstrated that the proposed methodology can represent a valuable alternative to the three-dimensional modelling technique by ensuring a comparable accuracy with a lower computational effort.