(current version: NLR-TP-2000-049 - February 2000)

NLR has developed a method to predict gas turbine component life based on analysis of engine performance. Engine performance history is obtained from in-flight monitored engine parameters and flight conditions, and processed off-line by a combination of tools. Besides GSP as comprehensive thermodynamical engine system model, this combination includes models for heat transfer, thermal load, mechanical load and life consumption. Due to the relative high inaccuracy of the life consumption model component life can only be predicted relative to a reference life.

The Integrated Lifing Analysis Paper titled "Integrated Lifing Analysis Tool for Gas Turbine Components" was presented as ASME-2000-GT-646 at the ASME Turbo Expo 2000, 8-11 May 2000 in Munich, Germany, and gives a comprehensive description of the application of GSP in an integrated tool. The tool is demonstrated with an analysis of deterioration effects on the life consumption of the F100PW220 engine 1st stage LPT rotor blade during a recorded RNLAF F-16 mission.