1 Probabilistic Methodology For Life Prediction of Aircraft Turbine Rotors

The presence of rare metallurgical or manufacturing anomalies in aircraft turbine rotors/disks may contribute to uncontained engine failures. A probabilistic methodology has been developed to quantify the risk of fracture and the influence of periodic inspection on overall risk, supplementing the current safe life approach. This paper summarizes the methodology and computational implementation, including a brief description of a new method for defining surface damage-related crack growth using 3D finite element results. The results can be applied to risk assessment of aerospace structures where uncertainties associated with fatigue crack growth must be quantitatively addressed