UTC in Gas Turbine Transmissions Systems People

Chris Bennett, Director of the UTC in Gas Turbine Transmission Systems is a Professor of Solid Mechanics.

His research interests include fusion and non-fusion welding processes and the development of experimental facilities and models to provide deep insight into the material behaviour and evolution during these processes.  He also has a broad interest in the application of numerical modelling (particularly finite element modelling) to engineering problems which include contact, wear and fatigue of aeroengine components.  Linked to this is experience and expertise in novel characterisation methods for a range of material systems in extreme environments. 

He has a long history of working closely with industry and has been PI on a number of collaborative research projects funded by the ATI and direct funded by industry.  He is currently PI on the Clean Aviation project HEAVEN and ATI project MUSIC.  

Dr James Rouse is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham in the Mechanical, Materials, and Manufacturing Engineering Department and is the Solid Mechanics Deputy in the Gas Turbine and Transmission Systems UTC.

His research interests include the creation of novel experimental methods for the characterisation of materials (primarily metallic) in industry/process relevant conditions, the production of generalised material deformation models for accurate mechanical simulation in extreme environments, and the development of efficient numerical schemes (primarily FEA based) that allow for important design questions to be answered quickly and with confidence.

The UTC Deputy role draws on much of this experience, with James overseeing work in a wide range of related areas and enabling the transfer of knowledge by working closely with many technical specialists at the company. Projects include the development of new wear and fretting models for misaligned spline coupling assessment (with supporting experimental studies performed at the component level to validate anticipated degradation modes), the characterisation of machines and materials for high temperature/high strain rate processing methods (notably linear and inertia friction welding), and the simulation of incursion events for complex multiphase materials (plasma sprayed AlSi-Polyester).  

Professor Seamus Garvey is the Neville Rieger Professor of Dynamics at University of Nottingham, and he was previously the director of the Gas Turbine and Transmission Systems UTC from 2008 until 2021. He continues to support the UTC and its management team with his insight and expertise.  

Professor Garvey has a long background in the dynamics of rotating machines and is the author of a textbook now well regarded in the subject. For over fifteen years, the UTC has had a continuous involvement in managing the dynamic behaviour of machines. This has included developing rotor balancing methods, designing rotors so that critical speeds occur suitable at parts of the machine speed range, and controlling the transverse forces that exist rotors – especially those in electrical machine rotors that may be present within larger rotor system. He has built on his background to bring knowledge into Rolls Royce applications, and he continues to be a PI on projects relating to rotordynamics.