The composite blade structural analyzer (COBSTRAN)

The use and application of the COBSTRAN (COmposite Blade STRuctural ANalyzer) computer code is presented. COBSTRAN was developed at NASA-Lewis and is currently being used for the design and analysis of aircraft engine ducted and unducted fan blades. The features of COBSTRAN are demonstrated for the modeling and analysis of a scaled down wind tunnel model propfan blade made from fiber composites. Comparison of analytical and experimental mode shapes and frequencies are shown, verifying the model development and analysis techniques used. The methodologies and programs developed for this analysis are directly applicable to other propfan blades.