How the Evering Institute empowers students to simulate turbojet engine behavior, develop predictive maintenance algorithms and more with the digital twin
The Evering Institute at the University of Bordeaux offers a range of training and educational programs in the fields of engineering and life-cycle management of aeronautical systems, from the bachelor to master level.
Located in the center of the Bordeaux-Mérignac airport zone, the Evering Institute benefits from a prime location near several aeronautical companies, allowing for a blend of academic research and industrial partnership projects. Students receive half of their training from academic teaching and the other half from industry professionals with work experience and internships.
The institute uses extensive equipment to support student learning, including a turbojet engine test bench used for teaching students about engine performance and aeronautical maintenance.
However, when this engine was unavailable due to a lengthy repair, the institute saw an opportunity to bring the digital twin to the classroom.
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Bringing the digital twin to the classroom
With the turbojet engine test bench out of order, the Evering Institute decided to explore the use of the digital twin in the classroom to ensure learning continuity and enhance the classroom with greater capabilities for experimentation and broader access to a lifelike virtual model.
Multiphysics simulation is rarely taught at universities, but Pierre Francois, an engineering professor at the Evering Institute, elaborated on its value to deepen a students’ understanding of engine behavior:
“For example, on an aircraft engine, which is not pedagogical equipment, we cannot create and realize states of failure or malfunction of an engine. This can only be done by simulation, hence the importance of teaching it to students so they can simulate or develop future predictive maintenance algorithms.”
Our partnership with Siemens is vital. By using the latest technology, we can prepare our students to be ready to hit the ground running in their first job after graduating.
Pierre Francois, Engineering Professor at the Evering Institute
Empowering the institute to develop and validate their own turbojet engine digital twin
Leading the development of the turbojet engine digital twin was Benjamin Florence, a student at Evering Institute and intern at Siemens Digital Industries Software.
For Florence to build the digital twin and template for other students, having powerful, easy-to-use software in place was vital.
“Simcenter Amesim is very intuitive with an extensive help section,” stated Florence.
“There are demonstration models that display how simulations work and prebuilt libraries of component models, so we didn’t have to create everything from scratch. There’s also a great schematic logic that enables you to build your entire engine from the different component models.”
The comprehensive digital twin is not intended to replace the physical engine, but to be used alongside the engine. “It’s critical for the simulation result to be reliable and trustworthy in aeronautical maintenance,” explained Francois.
“By combining our physical equipment with the simulation model, we can show students the sources of uncertainty, orders of magnitude and the cases where there can be incorrect interpretations.”
Watch the video to learn about another exciting application of Simcenter Amesim: simulating and optimizing green hydrogen production systems for efficient, all-season operation
With the digital twin, students are empowered to test new theories and develop predictive maintenance algorithms
Using Simcenter Amesim enabled the students to carry out tests they could not previously perform.
“The multiphysics model makes it possible to carry out experiments that can’t be done with the engine,” said Francois. “For instance, creating a drop in performance or efficiency is difficult if not impossible. With the digital twin, it’s much more feasible.”
In the future, when the physical engine is available, students will be able to run simulations in parallel with physical tests and compare the results. They can carry out experiments with the comprehensive digital twin, trying out different theories and ideas without damaging the engine. When they are confident, they can carry out the same experiments on the physical engine.
This also helps with the development of predictive maintenance algorithms for industry. “We can’t force breakdowns or malfunctions of non-educational equipment,” said Francois. “However, we can simulate it with accurate models.”
Better yet, by experimenting with the digital twin, teachers and students don’t have to wait for the physical engine to be available.
As impactful as moving “from pencil and paper to CAD”
When looking to the future of the aerospace industry, modern simulation tools will prove vital for the development of new predictive engineering and AI techniques.
“This could have an equal impact as the move from pencil and paper to CAD had in the 1970s and 1980s,” stated Francois. “It will revolutionize the design office again so students must be ready for that. It won’t replace the intelligence of the engineer, but it will help them process more data faster. The tools will only be as good as their user so engineers must understand how to use them correctly.”
While staying abreast of new practices, technologies and trends in industry does require a time investment, it’s an important step for equipping students with the skills and competencies needed to lead the industry forward.
“Our partnership with Siemens is vital,” said Francois. “By using the latest technology, we can prepare our students to be ready to hit the ground running in their first job after graduating.”
If you’re interested in gaining access to industry-grade software and training courses, take the first step in helping your students become day-one ready and apply for a Siemens software grant today.
