Influence of Component Contact Interactions on the Dynamic Behaviour of an Aerodynamic Test Rig

This thesis presents a comprehensive modal analysis of the new test section for the acoustic wind tunnel at the Department of Turbomachinery and Fluid Dynamics, University of Hannover. The study aims to evaluate the impact of contact modifications between key components on the overall dynamic behaviour of the system. Using ANSYS and the Finite Element Method (FEM), several progressively complex models were developed, beginning with a simplified representation of the substructures and culminating in a fully detailed model that integrates all modifications. The analysis reveals that, while the overall system exhibits high stiffness, only a limited number of vibration modes are noticeably affected by the modifications. These findings suggest that the inherent rigidity of the contact surfaces and the supporting structure largely governs the dynamic response of the system, masking the potential effects of reducing contact surfaces. The work provides valuable insights into the importance of precise contact modelling for accurate dynamic predictions. Recommendations for future research include experimental validation to further refine and to optimize the design of the wind tunnel test section.