Containment Simulation and Test of the Whole Structure of an Air Turbine Starter

The air turbine starter (ATS) of an aero-engine incorporates a high-speed, high-energy rotor. An uncontained failure of the ATS could lead to catastrophic consequences, making containment capability research critically important. This study proposes a comprehensive evaluation methodology for ATS containment. A full-scale finite element model of the whole structure of an ATS was established to analyze containment characteristics and structural deformation patterns. Furthermore, an experimental method for ATS containment testing was designed to investigate the containment process and critical structural damage. By integrating simulation and experimental results, the load transfer paths and structural dynamic response of the ATS were systematically analyzed. The results demonstrate that sudden high-energy loads primarily follow two distinct transfer paths, each causing completely different structural damage behaviors. After the turbine wheel is broken, the resulting unbalanced load causes turbine shaft oscillation, which, in turn, compresses the bearings and damages their inner and outer rings. This research provides valuable guidance for the structural design of air turbine starters.