Experimental design of a device for bird strike bench tests of non-rotating fan blades

Requirements on the efficiency and safety of fan bird strike bench tests by throwing birds against non-rotating blades are discussed, including the requirements for providing the bird strike velocity, the installation of blades at the required angle of attack relative to the bird, the requirements for the strength of the parts of the device and its overhaulability.  Structural features of the device developed at CIAM are outlined in the paper. The device comprises two main parts: a disk model sector for blade installation and a rigid framework. The model disk can be turned relative to the framework and rigidly fixed in this position. The model disk sector is a solid part imitating part of the disk rim with shaped grooves for blade roots. The framework represents a set of supporting plates with peripheral slots for additional support using rolled section. Strength analysis of the device units operating under the action of heavy short-term impact loads is carried out by the results of finite-element 3D calculations. The device has been successfully used for bench tests during which large birds were being thrown against the block of three fan blades.