Structural Dynamics of Liquid Rocket Engines (eBook)

This is the first Structural Dynamics book focused on this indispensable aspect of liquid rocket engine design. This book begins by reviewing basic concepts in Structural Dynamics, including the free and forced response of SDOF and MDOF systems, along with some discussion of how numerical solutions are generated. The book then moves to a discussion of specific applications of these techniques in LREs, progressing from component level (turbomachinery and combustion devices), up through engine system looks, and finally to integration with a launch vehicle. Clarifies specific topics including the Campbell and SAFE Diagrams for resonance identification in turbomachinery, the complications of component analysis in the pump side due to a host of complication factors such as acoustic/structure interaction, the 'side-loads' fluid/structure interaction problem in overexpanded rocket nozzles, and competing methods for generation overall engine system interface loads. Includes specific examples for illustration while closing with rotordynamic analysis, dynamic data analysis, and vibroacoustics.

Andy Brown, Ph.D. is an Aerospace Engineer in the Propulsion Structure & Dynamic Analysis Branch/ER41 at NASA Marshall Space flight Center. He joined MSFC in 1986 and has worked mainly on rocket engine dynamics and loads research and production analysis, but also has performed hypersonic debris impact analysis. Presently he is leading structural dynamic analysis for the adaptation and re-start of the Space Shuttle Main Engine into the new RS25 engine, which will power the first stage of the Space Launch System. He has authored or co-authored 11 journal papers and over 28 conference papers covering topics ranging from probabilistic design and load combination methods to techniques for calculating turbine blade forced response in the presence of asymmetric flow. Dr. Brown has been an active member of the AIAA Structural Dynamics Technical Committee and taught graduate-level courses in Structural Dynamics and Finite Element methods while a visiting professor at UNC Charlotte. He has taught a professional cshort course 'Basics of Structural Dynamics' a number of times and has been an adjunct professor at Duke University with the Thrust international master's degree program in turbomachinery. Andy received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University, a Ph.D. in ME from Georgia Tech, and an Associate Fellow of the AIAA.