Apparatus and method for simulating lifetime of and/or stress experienced by a rotor blade and rotor disc fixture

An apparatus for simulating the axial and radial stresses experienced by the root and shank of a rotor blade when the rotor blade is in operation;

• the apparatus comprising:
• a blade mounting member adapted to receive and hold the root of a blade specimen;
• a blade attachment member for attaching to a wing portion of a blade specimen;
• an actuator for applying a force separating the blade mounting member and blade attachment member so as to apply a tension load to a blade specimen when a blade specimen is mounted to the blade mounting member and attached to the blade attachment member;
• wherein
• one or both of the blade attachment member and blade mounting member is movable relative to the other in a manner such that at least one of a lean and a twist of a blade specimen mounted to the blade mounting member and attached to the blade attachment member is adjustable.

A method of simulating the axial and radial stresses experienced by the root and shank of a rotor blade when the rotor blade is in operation;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• providing a blade mounting member adapted to receive and hold the root of a blade specimen;
• providing a blade attachment member which is adapted for attachment to the wing of a blade specimen;
• mounting the root of a blade specimen in the blade mounting member and attaching a wing of the blade specimen to the blade attachment member;
• adjusting the relative positioning of the blade mounting member and the blade attachment member in order to achieve a desired lean and twist of said blade specimen,
• and using an actuator to apply a force to at least one of a first and second structural member so as to apply a tension load to said blade specimen.