OPTIMAL SHAPE DESIGN OF TURBINE AND COMPRESSOR BLADES

Abstract : In this paper a general engineering method to minimize the weight of rotating turbine or compressor blades is presented. The cross section shapes are optimized using the design variables selected by the aerodynamicists. The constraints originate from either aerodynamic or solid mechanic specifications. As the problem is reformated after a first finite element anlaysis the optimization process is quite inexpensive. A large variety of blades can be designed by this method and here, two examples are given which lead to continuous optimal profiles and demonstrate the efficiency of the method. (Author)