Thermoelastic Analysis of Functionally Graded Rotating Disks

Functionally graded rotating disks are composite structures whose material properties vary continuously in the radial direction to optimise performance under combined mechanical and thermal loads. Thermoelastic analysis of such disks aims to predict stress, strain and displacement fields arising from centrifugal forces and temperature gradients during high-speed rotation. By grading parameters such as Young’s modulus, density and coefficient of thermal expansion, it is possible to mitigate peak stresses, control deformation and extend operational life. Analytical approaches often employ exact solutions for simplified grading laws, while numerical methods—notably the finite element method—allow detailed modelling of complex geometries, variable thickness and realistic boundary conditions. Research has explored power-law gradation, variable thickness profiles and additional design features such as homogeneous insert regions to further reduce stresses. Advances in thermoelastic modelling underpin critical applications in aerospace turbines, high-speed centrifuges and advanced manufacturing, where reliability under extreme service temperatures and rotational speeds is paramount.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have introduced a novel design strategy for functionally graded rotating disks with nonuniform thickness by embedding a predefined homogeneous annular region. Using finite-element simulations of a magneto-thermoelastic problem under combined mechanical and thermal loading, investigators demonstrated that strategic placement of this region can reduce peak compressive tangential stress by around 20.7% and lower von Mises stress by approximately 12.5%. This approach offers a practical pathway to increase load-carrying capacity and enhance thermoelastic resilience without major alterations to overall disk geometry or material budget.

Thermoelastic Analysis of Functionally Graded Rotating Disks publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in thermoelastic analysis of functionally graded rotating disks across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Functionally graded material (FGM): A composite in which material properties vary continuously, typically according to a mathematical grading law, to achieve desired stress and temperature profiles.

Thermoelastic analysis: The study of combined thermal and elastic behaviour of materials, predicting how temperature changes induce stresses and deformations under mechanical constraints.

Von Mises stress: A scalar stress measure used to predict yielding in ductile materials by combining principal stresses into an equivalent stress value.

Creep: Time-dependent plastic deformation that occurs under sustained load at elevated temperature, often characterised by strain rate rather than instantaneous stress–strain response.

References

1. Investigate of Creep Response in Functionally Graded Material Rotating Disc with variable Thickness. Journal of Machine and Computing (2023).
2. A nontraditional method for reducing thermoelastic stresses of variable thickness rotating discs. Scientific Reports (2023).
3. Stress Function of a Rotating Variable-Thickness Annular Disk Using Exact and Numerical Methods. Engineering (2011).
4. Elastic Stress Analysis of Rotating Functionally Graded Annular Disk of Variable Thickness Using Finite Difference Method. Mathematical Problems in Engineering (2018).