Tensile buckling of advanced turboprops

Theoretical studies were conducted to determine analytically the tensile buckling of advanced propeller blades (turboprops) in centrifugal fields, as well as the effects of tensile buckling on resonant frequencies/Theoretical studies were also conducted to establish the advantages of using "high-performance" composite turboprops as compared to titanium. Results show that the vibration frequencies are not affected appreciably prior to 80% of the tensile buckling speed. Some frequencies approach zero as the tensile buckling speed is approached. Composites provide a substantial advantage over titanium on a buckling speed-to-weight basis. Vibration modes change as the rotor speed is increased and substantial geometric coupling is present.