CHRISTINA MACKENZIE / MELUN
Four-year deal to focus on improved technologies to boost reliability and efficiency
Snecma has signed a four-year co-operation agreement with French aerospace research agency ONERA and scientific research agency CNRS with the aim of boosting the reliability and performance of future aeroengines. The four-year Advanced Mechanical Engineering Methods (MAIA) agreement will study breakthrough technologies in several areas.
The team will attempt to come up with improved design techniques to allow a better compromise to be struck between engine performance and development costs, and focus on other areas such as understanding the vibration characteristics of parts and assemblies, leading to development of more efficient shock absorbing technologies.
Also under study will be the behaviour of an engine and its components under accident conditions. Certification work often involves testing components to destruction late in the development cycle, and the MAIA participants will attempt to improve computer remodelling of events such as birdstrikes and icing to avoid the risk of late design changes to address problems revealed in testing.
Composite materials are another focus, and work will be carried out to deepen knowledge of the performance of composites and how this is influenced by production methods.
As the trend towards higher engine operating temperatures continues as part of the drive for better fuel efficiency and lower emissions, the team will try to model blade fatigue, distortion and oxidisation. In the "cold" section the focus will be on how to more accurately predict remaining component life after fissures are detected, and life prediction for dynamic components subject to friction.
The MAIA agreement is aimed in particular at reducing duplication in research among the agencies. The ministries of defence and civil aeronautics are also closely involved. The project, which already includes research organisations in the Walloon region of Belgium, is likely to be offered for co-operation at European level.
Source: Flight International
