Finite element modeling and analysis of composite propeller blade based on ANSYS

The shell elements with different section parameters and the solid elements with different equivalent material properties were used in the finite elements analysis of the composite marine propeller blade. The modal analysis, the response under uniformly distributed pressure loads and the thermal deformation in uniformly distributed temperature fields of the shell finite element modeling (FEM) were compared with those of the solid FEM. The results show that each of the two modeling methods has its own advantages and disadvantages on the modeling time and the layup adjusting convenience for blade with a variable layup from root to tip. There are some differences in the frequencies and the mode shapes in the modal analysis between two different FEMs, and each FEM is practicable for the modal analysis of the composite propeller blade under a given condition. For the two models, the shell FEM should be used in the response simulation under uniformly distributed pressure loads, while the solid FEM is suggested to analyze the thermal deformation of the blade in uniformly distributed temperature fields.