Turbomachinery Aeroelasticity

VKI Lecture Series

Date: Postponed to 1 - 4 December 2026

Location: online / on-site: Waterloosesteenweg, 72, 1640 Sint-Genesius-Rode, Belgium - near Brussels

About the lecture series

This lecture series provides a review of the latest understanding and state-of-the-art research in turbomachinery aeroelasticity. After an introduction to the field, recent research on forced response, flutter and non-synchronous vibration will be presented, including high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics and cutting-edge experimental techniques. In view of more integrated propulsion systems, two lectures will be dedicated to the effects of intake distortions. An introduction into computational methodologies for aeroelasticity in turbomachines, including the latest time-marching and frequency-domain methods, will also be given. 

The course is aimed at participants from industry and academia, who wish to develop and deepen their understanding of complex aeroelastic phenomena in turbomachinery to aid design predictions and root cause analysis. 

A 2.0 ECTS transfer for university students participating onsite is possible upon request. The evaluation is carried out via an oral examination about two weeks after the lecture series.

The lecture series is directed by Prof. Sina Stapelfeldt and Prof. Frank Eulitz.

Tuesday 1 December 2026: Introduction to Turbomachinery Aeroelasticity

9:00 - 09:30 Registration & Welcome 
Prof. Frank Eulitz, Prof. Jeroen van Beeck, VKI, Belgium

9:30 - 10:45 Introduction to Aeroelasticity in Turbomachinery  
Dr Sina Stapelfeldt, Imperial College London, VKI, UK 

10:45 - 11:15 Coffee break

11:15 - 12:30 Industry perspective: Aeroelasticity in Gas Turbines    
Dr Matt Montgomery, USA

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:15 Industry perspective: Aeroelasticity in Aero-Engines
Dr Bharat Lad, Rolls-Royce plc., UK 

15:15 - 15:45 Coffee break

15:45 - 17:00 Tour of VKI Facilities

17:00 - 18:00 Reception

Wednesday 2 December 2026: Forced Response & Experimental Methods

09:30 - 10:45 Forced response: Advances in experimental measurements and predictions in multi-stage compressors
Prof. Nicole Key, Purdue University, USA

10:45 - 11:15 Coffee break

11:15 - 12:30 Forced response: Aerodynamic and structural mistuning
Prof. Nicole Key, Purdue University, USA

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:15 Inlet distortions
Dr Matt Montgomery, USA

15:15 - 15:45 Coffee break

15:45 - 17:00 Experimental methods for aeroelasticity in high-speed machines
Dr. Christoph Brandstetter, Ecole Centrale de Lyon, France

Thursday 3 December 2026: Non-synchronous vibrations & Flutter

09:30 - 10:45 An introduction to non-synchronous vibration in fans and compressors 
Dr Christoph Brandstetter, Ecole Centrale de Lyon, France
 
10:45 - 11:15 Coffee break

11:15 - 12:30 Aerodynamic and aeroacoustic interactions leading to non-synchronous vibrations
Dr Christoph Brandstetter, Ecole Centrale de Lyon, France

12:30 - 13:45 Lunch

13:45 - 15:15 Fan flutter
Prof. Roque Corral, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain & Dr Sina Stapelfeldt, Imperial College London, VKI, UK 

15:15 - 15:45 Coffee break

15:45 - 17:00 Aerodynamic Trends in turbine flutter
Prof. Roque Corral, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain

Thursday 4 December 2026: Seal Flutter & Numerical Methods

09:30 - 10:45 Seal Flutter 
Prof. Roque Corral, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain

10:45 - 11:15 Coffee break

11:15 - 12:30 Time-marching methods
Prof. Roque Corral, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain 

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:15 Frequency domain methods for flutter and forced response analysis
Dr Christian Frey, DLR, Germany 

15:15 - 15:45 Coffee Break

15:45 - 17:00 Advanced topics in frequency domain methods
Dr Christian Frey, DLR, Germany 

17:00 Conclusion of Lecture Series 

Fee and Registration

• Deadline for on-site registration: 16 November 2026
• Deadline for online registration: 23 November 2026
• Discount of 10% in case of online participation*
• Discount of 30% for citizens from NATO countries*

* applicable on the price listed below

Early Bird Registration until 1 October 2026

• Undergraduate students: €270
• PhD students: €720
• Staff from recognized universities / research center: €1368
• Staff from commercial organizations: €1728

Late Registration after 1 October 2026

• Undergraduate students: €315
• PhD students: €864
• Staff from recognized universities / research center: €1520
• Staff from commercial organizations: €1920