Advanced computational tools for turbomachinery design

Title of the research project
EXPERTISE – models, EXperiments and high PERformance computing for Turbine mechanical Integrity and Structural dynamics in Europe
Scientific area
Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science
Abstract
In the next decades turbomachinery will play a key role in Europe in areas such as Mobility and Energy. The main goal of EXPERTISE is the development of advanced computational tools for structural design of turbomachinery components using high performance computers, with the dual target of increasing the component life and reducing its time-to-market.
Description of the research project
Turbomachines are currently used in multiple fields (energy production, oil and gas extraction, propulsion for military and civil aviation, naval propulsion, turbo-chargers for automotive applications, etc..).
Rotating components of turbomachines are critical. Due to the high rotational speed, their failure can jeopardize the structural integrity of the entire machine and, in some cases, threaten human lives (e.g. aircraft engine failures).
For this reason, the design process is very expensive and tight testing and certification rules exist. The use of accurate and efficient numerical tools in the design phase can significantly affect the development costs and on the reliability of the final design configuration.
The EXPERTISE project is focused on the development of advanced software tools for the design of turbine components to pave the way towards the virtual testing of the entire machine and the consequent reduction of its time-to-market.
This objective will be achieved through a set of 15 individual research projects, aimed at improving the accuracy of the numerical tools for the design of turbomachinery components, . developingmore efficient models and methods, investigating the opportunities represented by parallel computing architectures.
The individual research projects will be carried out by an Early Stage Researcher (ESR), recruited and supervised by the Consortium members.
Impact on researcher’s career and on society
Early Steger Researchers recruited during the project will receive a multi-disciplinary training in the fields of structural mechanics and computer science, preparing them for future challenges in the field of numerical simulations for mechanical design.
The objectives of the research activities planned as part of EXPERTISE enhance the development of enabling technologies in the field of turbomachinery design and of parallel computing, contributing to increase the leadership of the European industries in these sectors.
Working group @Polito
Stefano Zucca, Associate Professor, Project Coordinator
Daniele Botto, Associate Professor
Teresa Berruti, Associate Professor
Christian M. Firrone, Assistant Professor
List of beneficiary organizations
Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine (United Kingdom)
Universitaet Stuttgart (Germany)
University of Oxford (United Kingdom)
Ecole Centrale de Lyon (Francia)
Middle East Technical University (Turchia)
Technische Universitaet Muenchen (Germany)
Barcelona Supercomputing Center (Spain)
Technicka Univerzita Ostrava (Czech Republic)
Cray UK Limited (United Kingdom)
Mavel AS (Czech Republic)
List of partner organizations
Samara State Aerospace University (Russia)
Rolls-Royce PLC (United Kingdom)
NEC Deutschland GmbH (Germany)
Doosan Skoda Power (Czech Republic)
SNECMA (France)
General Electric Deutschland Holding (Germany)
Nuovo Pignone srl (Italy)
SAFRAN (France)
University of Bristol (United Kingdom)
EXPERTISE project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 721865
- Budget: 3816000
- Start date: 1/03/2017
- End date: 28/02/2021