Computational Design Tool for Residual Stress Surface Treatments

The field of residual stress engineering is rapidly evolving, due in large part to investment by DoD aircraft programs under USAF, NAVAIR, and Army Aviation sponsorship. The current state of the art for implementing residual stress surface treatments focuses on a set of empirical steps and process trials that have significant cost and duration. Software design tools represent a clear path towards reducing empirical efforts, potentially saving upfront costs and reducing the threshold for use of residual stress. The presentation provides an overview of a new methodology for surface treatment engineering and a summary of recent validation experiments focused on the use of laser shock peening on turbine engine airfoils. A computational model will be described that provides an efficient means for predicting the full-field residual stress distribution in surface treated, geometrically complex parts. The model enables trades among residual stress treatment processes, including the effects of process parameters and treated area. Ultimately, the model provides a tool that can enable broader adoption of residual stress treatments by reducing risk, cost, and time to market currently associated with their use.