• von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics

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Turbomachinery Aeroelasticity

VKI Lecture Series

Date: 13-17 April 2026

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

 

 

About the lecture series

Introduction to Aeroelasticity

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.

Sina Stapelfeldt,Imperial College London, UK,Adjunct Professor at von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium

Dr. Sina Stapelfeldt
Imperial College London, UK
Adjunct Professor at von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
Lecture Series Director and Lecturer

Prof. Frank Eulitz, VKI, Belgium

Prof. Frank Eulitz
von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
Lecture Series Director

Dr. Christoph Brandstetter, Ecole Centrale de Lyon, France

Dr. Christoph Brandstetter
Ecole Centrale de Lyon, France
Lecturer

Prof. Roque Corral, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Prof. Roque Corral
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Lecturer

Dr. Christian Frey, DLR, Germany,Lecturer

Dr. Christian Frey
DLR, Germany
Lecturer

Prof. Nicole Key, Purdue University, USA

Prof. Nicole Key
Purdue University, USA
Lecturer

Dr Matt Montgomery, Kratos Defense, USA

Dr, Matt Montgomery
Kratos Defense, USA
Lecturer

 

Programme

 

Monday 13 April 2026: Introduction to aeroelasticity


09:00 - 09:30 Registration & Welcome 
Prof. Frank Eulitz, VKI, Belgium


09:30 - 10:00 Introduction to Aeroelasticity in Turbomachinery  
Dr Sina Stapelfeldt, Imperial College London, VKI, UK

10:45 - 11:15 Coffee break

11:15 - 12:30 Introduction to Computational Aeroelasticity
Dr Sina Stapelfeldt, Imperial College London, VKI, UK

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:15 Industry perspective: Aeroelasticity in Gas Turbines    
Dr Matt Montgomery, Kratos Defense, USA 

15:15 - 15:45 Coffee break

15:45 - 17:00 Industry perspective: Aeroelasticity in Aero-Engines
TBD

17:00 Reception

Tuesday 14 April 2026: Forced Response & Inlet Distortions

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, Kratos Defense, USA

15:15 - 15:45 Coffee break

15:45 - 17:00 Non-synchronous forced response driven by unsteady aerodynamics and aeroacoustics
Dr. Christoph Brandstetter, Ecole Centrale de Lyon, France

Wednesday 15 April 2026: Non-synchronous Vibrations & Experimental Methods

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 - 14:00 Lunch 

14:00 - 15:15 Experimental methods for aeroelasticity in high-speed machines
Dr Christoph Brandstetter, Ecole Centrale de Lyon, France

15:15 - 15:45 Coffee break

15:45 - 17:00 Tour of the VKI Laboratories
Prof. Frank Eulitz, VKI, Belgium

Thursday 16 April 2026: Flutter Phenomena & Analysis

09:30 - 10:15 Aerodynamic Trends in turbine flutter
Prof. Roque Corral, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain

10:15 - 10:45 Coffee break

10:45 - 12:30 The effect of mode shape composition and reduced frequency on fan flutter
Dr Sina Stapelfeldt, Imperial College London, VKI, UK

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:15 The effect of the intake on fan flutter
Prof. Roque Corral, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain 

15:15 - 15:45 Coffee break

15:45 - 17:00 Seal Flutter
Prof. Roque Corral, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain

Friday 17 April 2026: Computational Methods in Turbomachinery Aeroelasticity 

09:30 - 10:45 Time-marching methods
Prof. Roque Corral, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain 

10:45 - 11:15 Coffee break

11:15 - 12:30 Frequency domain methods for flutter and forced response analysis
Dr Christian Frey, DLR, Germany 

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:30 Advanced topics in frequency domain methods
Dr Christian Frey, DLR, Germany 

15:30 - 16:00 Conclusion of lecture series

Fee and Registration

  • Deadline for on-site registration: 30 March 2026
  • Deadline for online registration: 06 February 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 13 February 2026

  • Undergraduate students: €315
  • PhD students: €864
  • Staff from recognized universities / research center: €1368
  • Staff from commercial organizations: €1728

Late Registration after 13 February 2026

  • Undergraduate students: €350
  • PhD students: €960
  • Staff from recognized universities / research center: €1520
  • Staff from commercial organizations: €1920