Structural low-ductility turbine shroud apparatus

A turbine shroud apparatus for a gas turbine engine having a central axis, comprising:

• an arcuate shroud segment comprising low-ductility material and having a cross-sectional shape defined by opposed forward and aft walls, and opposed inner and outer walls, the walls extending between opposed first and second end faces and collectively defining a shroud cavity;
• a turbine vane disposed upstream of the shroud segment and arranged such that there is a continuous mechanical load path from the turbine vane to the forward wall of the shroud segment;
• an annular stationary structure surrounding the shroud segment, where the shroud segment is mechanically coupled to the stationary structure, and wherein the stationary structure includes at least one axially-facing bearing surface which is in direct contact with the aft wall of the shroud segment;
• and
• a load spreader received in the shroud cavity of the shroud segment and mechanically coupled to the stationary structure, the load spreader comprising:
• a laterally-extending plate with opposed inner and outer faces;
• and
• a boss which protrudes radially from the outer face and extends through a mounting hole in the outer wall of one of the shroud segments;
• and
• a fastener engaging the boss and the stationary structure, so as to clamp the boss against the stationary structure in a radial direction;
• wherein the shroud segment is disposed so as to absorb at least one axially-aligned force from the turbine vane and transfer the axially-aligned force to the bearing surface.