About DevTMF Project Consortium

DevTMF takes the collective technical expertise and experience of working on thermo-mechanical fatigue (TMF) problems related to large aero-engines from three major centres of TMF research, namely Linköping, Swansea and Nottingham Universities in order to perform the activities in the project. DevTMF consists of four partners from 2 countries, Sweden and the UK, namely:

• Linköping University
• Swansea University
• The University of Nottingham and
• Rolls-Royce plc

The consortium also offers a unique team with which to undertake the significant challenges associated with this TMF lifing programme. Each of Linköping, Swansea and Nottingham have a strong background in experimental methods and prediction associated with TMF and vast experience of working with industry (see section 1.3.3). Linköping has a long experience in TMF testing and modelling in cooperation with partners in industry and universities at national and EU level since 2001. During this time, the university has forged a strong collaboration with several companies including GKN Aerospace Sweden AB, Rolls-Royce plc, Turbomeca, ONERA, Snecma, Rolls-Royce MTOC, MTU Aero Engines AG, SAAB, etc. Through recent research undertaken through the EPSRC Strategic Partnership with Rolls-Royce plc, Swansea has developed a wide range of TMF facilities, which provide a strong basis for the experimental data generation phase of the programme. Nottingham has been working on TMF with Rolls-Royce plc for the past 30 years as part of its University Technology Centre in Gas Turbine Transmission Systems. Key areas investigated under this include structural integrity of shafts, bearings, gearboxes and electro-thermal coupling. On the numerical front the UTC possesses three groups respectively dedicated to mathematical analysis, FE and computational fluid dynamics analyses, and has access to significant numerical modelling recourses including a broad range of codes. The consortium also has knowledge of wide range of materials such as nickel-based polycrystalline and single crystal superalloys, titanium alloys, cobalt based alloys, some novel alloys, etc. This therefore provides the basis for cross institution collaboration on a level playing field, whilst then allowing development of specific areas of expertise, which can allow a holistic approach to the wider problem.