Finite Element Analysis of the jet engine fan blade breaking and

containment

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 Table of Contents
Chapter 3: Research Methodology................................................................................................. 3

Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 3

Research onion ............................................................................................................................ 3

Research Philosophy ................................................................................................................... 4

Research Approach ..................................................................................................................... 5

Research Design.......................................................................................................................... 6

Data collection and analysis method........................................................................................... 8

Sampling size and techniques ..................................................................................................... 8

Ethical consideration ................................................................................................................... 9

Timeline ...................................................................................................................................... 9

Inclusion and exclusion............................................................................................................... 9

Accessibility issues ................................................................................................................... 10

Research limitations .................................................................................................................. 10

Summary ................................................................................................................................... 11

References ..................................................................................................................................... 12

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Chapter 3: Research Methodology

Introduction

The finite element analysis is referred to as an effective technique which can ensure higher
success in the field of techniques and engineering so that the capacity and capacity of the modern
human society can be enhanced (Kumar, 2019). Thus, in this report, the research methodology of
the preparation of the design of the fan blade has been for that purpose the research methodology
will be prepared which would help on determining the approaches, philosophies and method of
data collection in order to prepare the research. Alongside, the discussion of the limitation and
accessibility issues while the preparation of the research would also be done in this study. Apart
from that the ethical consideration and the inclusion an exclusion of the research will also be
determined in this report.

Research onion

Research onion deals with the methods of research with the help of which the data is collected as
well as analysed successfully (Bresler and Stake, 2017). There are three major layers of the
research onion which deals with the several research methodologies that are research approach,
strategies, philosophies, time-bound, data collection and so on. It involves the development of
the research as it gives a detailed description of the steps and stages of the process of research. It
also offers a successful progression with the help of which the research has been undertaken and
designed. Thus, the usefulness of the research onion lies in its flexibility and adaptability for all
sorts of research methodology. It can also be considered in several different contexts. Thus, it is
very significant for the learner to go through the outer layers of the onion to the inner layer so
that the objectives of the research can be fulfilled easily. Each layer of the onion gives the proper
description of the stages if the process of research which is beneficial in order to enhance the
quality of the research. Therefore, in order to achieve the goals the leader has to undertake the
stages accordingly so that the application of the stages makes the research work more effective.

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 Figure 1: Research onion

(Source: Saunders et al., 2009)

Research Philosophy

The research philosophy is referred as a belief regarding the methods in which the information
regarding a phenomenon should be generated, assessed and utilised. It deals with the nature,
sources and the development of the knowledge and understanding of the research processes
(Fletcher, 2017). Therefore, there are four types of philosophies that are positivism, realism,
pragmatism as well as interpretivism. In the context of positivism, it is a highly structured
approach with a large number of samples. Thus, the measurement of the data is both qualitative
and quantitative. It is an effective method of data collection. Thus in realism, the method is often
is selected which effectively suit the subject matter. On the other hand, the interpretivism is also
an effective method of research philosophy as it involves small samples and its effect in the in-
depth understanding of the topics and subjects (Žukauskas et al., 2018). Thus, the investigation
of the finding is done with the help of qualitative data measurement. Apart from that in the

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context to pragmatism several multiples, as well as mixed-method data collection, has been
considered so that effective data can be gathered which contributes to the fulfilment of the
objectives of the research (Alase, 2017).
Justification
For the purpose of this study, positivism has been as it offers a scientific data collection which is
more reliable for the effective fulfilment of the objectives of the research. It offers a well-defined
structure which is beneficial for the researchers that help in the enhancement of the quality of the
research. It provides real information to the researcher so that the accuracy of the research can
also be enhanced which leads in the successful fulfilment of the research objectives.
Thus, in this method both qualitative and quantitative collection of data is considered by the
learners in order to undertake the process of research. Apart from that in this report, the
consideration of positivism is done so that the proper understanding regarding the topic can be
generated. Thus, the objectives of the research are to determine the appropriate design as well as
a model according to the stress which would act on all the connection on the jet engine of the fan
blades.
Thus, the philosophy would aim of the explanation of the scientific data as well as predictions of
the results of the research with more accuracy. Thus, the observation and measurement of the
facts and data are significant so that the objectives of the research can be fulfilled easily. It is
efficient for primary data as it removes bias and hampering of the findings and data of the FEA
of the jet engine of a fan blade.

Research Approach

Research approach allows the researcher to effectively create plans as well as processes of the
collection and interpretation of the data with the help of broad hypotheses and assumptions.
Thus, there are three major types of approaches that are deductive, inductive as well as abductive
approaches (Vanderhoven et al., 2016). The inductive approach deals with the emergence and
creation of new theories as well as generalisation. Thus, the known premises of the research is
utilised in order to gather the untested conclusions. Generalising of the data from the specific to
the general is done. Apart from that, the collection of the data is done in order to explore the
phenomenon and determining the themes and patterns in order to create a conceptual framework.
Thus, new theories are built and generated in this approach (Abdulkadiroğlu et al., 2017).

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Whereas, abductive research stress with the facts of the research processes and actions which is
required proper and effective explanation. The premises are utilised in order to create testable
conclusions. Thus, generalising is done due to the interaction between the general and specific.
The data collection method is considered in order to explore the teams and phenomenon. It is
also beneficial in locating the conceptual framework apart from that it also test the subsequent
data collection so that the quality of the research can be enhanced. Thus, for the purpose of this
research, the deductive approach has been considered so that the objectives can be met
effectively.

Justification
In this study, the consideration of the deductive approach has been done as this approach is
beneficial for testing the research objectives and hypothesis in which the collection of the data is
based on. Thus, it also compares the information collected with the existing theories so that the
effective outcomes can be generated from the research. Therefore, as the creation of the research
objectives has been done in this report, along with that the theories which are related to the FEA
is there which makes the use this approach more effective. Thus, the inductive approach has not
been selected for this study as there is no requirement for the development of new theories with
the help of observation.
The relevance of the hypothesis of the research is the major distinctive point between the
inductive as well as deductive approaches. The deductive approach deals with the validity and
accuracy of the assumptions. In terms of logic when the premises of the research are true so the
conclusion of the research is also likely to be accurate. Thus, it generalise the information from
general to specific. Apart from that, the collection of the data is utilised in order to analyse the
propositions a hypothesis which is related to the existing theory. The falsification and
verification of the theories are done.

Research Design

Research design offers a collection of data and evaluation procedure which helps the research to
reach a particular result and make decisions effectively (Dannels, 2018). Research design is
referred to as a general plan regarding what questions are required to be answered in the

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research. Therefore, the significant element of the research design involves strategies and method
that is related to the data collection as well as evaluation. The research design can be divided into
three major groups that are descriptive, explanatory and exploratory. Thus, exploratory research
design focuses on the exploration of the particular aspects of the research.
On the other hand, in the explanatory research, the purpose of the research is very specific in
order to verify insights as well as an aid in the selection of the courses of action. In this context
to exploratory research, the general approach is considered in order to gather the insights
regarding the situation (Kennedy, 2017). However, in exploratory research approaches the
collection of data are rigid and following is well laid out procedures are done. Thus, the data has
been generated are clear and the sources are well defined. In descriptive, the involvement of the
observing and describing the subject behaviours are done without impacting it in any way. It is
also useful when the test and measures is not possible (Da Veiga, 2016).
Justification
The selection of the descriptive research design has been done which is beneficial for the
fulfilment of the research objective as it offers a good structure approach for the completion of
the research. As the collection of the data has been done with the help of research questions, the
in-depth evaluation of both quantitative and qualitative data has been generated. However, other
designs have not been considered for the preparation of this study as it has offer bias-based
answers. Thus, it is important for the researcher to change the direction of the research to several
extents as it helps in enhancing the overall quality of the study so that the fulfilment of the
objectives of the research. The sampling size is relatively large in this design, thus objectivity is
considered in order to ensure the permits generalisation of the findings. In this study,
consideration of the descriptive research design has been done as it is the most structured design
which benefits the researcher to collect the data successfully.
However, exploratory and explanatory research design has not been used in this research as it
does not aim of the offering of the final and conclusive outcomes to the research questions. Thus,
the needs of the data are vague in this design. However, the sources of the data are usually ill-
defined and the form of a collection of data is open-ended and rough. Therefore, biases in data
could be identified if these designs have been used for completing this research.

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Data collection and analysis method

Both the collection of secondary data has been done for the purpose of this research so that the
evaluation of the FEA of the jet engine fans blade breaking as well as containment. Apart from
that, the collection of the secondary data has been done with the help of books, news articles,
journals and so on. There is a range of data available in different sources regarding the research
topic which is beneficial for enhancing the quality of the research. Thus, the secondary collection
of the data has been beneficial for the research in order to understand the concept of finite
elements, as well as its methods along with the theoretical concept of the FEA, has also been
clearly understandable with the help of a successful collection of the secondary data. Apart from
that, the differences between the FEA as well as a conventional theoretical solution within the
research has also been undertaken with the utilisation of the data collected through the journal,
news articles and so on. Thus, the accuracy and reliability of the research have also been ensured
as the collection of the secondary data has been done through the consideration of verified and
authorised journal articles and news articles. Therefore, an overview of the workflow in the
methods of FEA has also been generating and analyse with the significant consideration of the
secondary data collection method.

Sampling size and techniques

For the completion of this study, the consideration of 8 journal articles has been done which is
related to the concept of the finite element methods. Thus, with the consideration of the journals
the key theoretical concept of the FEA has also been determined which was helped in the
research quality to be improved. Apart from that, the journal arrivals relating to the concept of
stiffness, mass as well as damping matrices in the FEA has also been considered so that the
understanding of the FEA can be increased. Thus, the reliability of the journal articles has also
been done so that the conclude outcome can be accurate and reliable which lead in the enhancing
of the overall quality of the study. It would help the research to reach out to the successful
conclusion so the understanding regarding the topic can also be enhanced. The knowledge
regarding the conventional theoretical solution has also been improved which enables the
researcher to understand the functions and processes of the research effectively. Apart from that,
the concept of the convergence in FEA has also been understood with the consideration of
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journals relating to the same. Probability sampling technique has been done so that several
journal articles have already been selected for the preparation of the research.

Ethical consideration

The collection, as well as the storage of the data, has been done on the basis of the regulation of
“The Data Protection Act, 1998” of the UK (Legislation.gov.uk, 1998). Thus, the research has
been one ethically as the misuse of the journal article has not been done for the preparation of the
research. Apart from that, any malpractices have also not been done while undertaking the
process of the research. The security and confidentiality of the data is also been maintained by
the researcher. Only academic use of the data which has been generated from the journal articles
has been done and commercial use of the data has not been done for the preparation of the
research. Unauthorised access to the journal article has not been done. Thus, for the journal
article in which free access has not been done, the permission of the publishers has been taken.

Timeline

12/17 1/6 1/26 2/15 3/6 3/26 4/15

Identification of research topic

Structuring of aim and objectives
Literature review
Selection of research methods
Collection of secondary data
Analysis of data
Drafting of the results for the project
Preparation of the final report

Figure 2: Gantt chart

(Source: Learner)

Inclusion and exclusion

While preparing the research, several journals had been considered therefore, the inclusion of the
relevant and valid journals has been done so that the accuracy and reliability of the research can

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be maintained. With the help of the valid journal related to the concert of FEA for the
preparation of the fan blade has been done. Apart from that in the exclusion, the relevant journals
and the unreliable journals have not been taken under consideration along with that the journals
relating to the FEA related to application in other sectors has also not been taken under
consideration. Thus, the exclusion of the primary collection method of data has been done in this
research so that all the data has been collected with respect to the secondary data collection
method. Thus, the inclusion of several aspects has allowed the researcher to undertake the
processes of research more effectively so that relevant outcomes can be generated.

Accessibility issues

For the preparation of this study, several accessibility issues have been faced by the research.
The major issue of the accessibility was that several journal articles were accessible due to
several security purposes. Thus, the accessibility of the journals may have lead in providing
irrelevant information. Apart from that, the given topic was the preparation of the fan blade with
the help of FEA so that the building of the fan blade can be done. Thus, bigger companies do not
give access to the processes and steps they have taken for the development of the FEA as it is
secret information which accesses to everyone may lead to the other company copy their
processes so that the quality of the products may get hampered. Thus, it was difficult to get
access to the processes of the FEA for the building of the fan blade. It was the major issues
which the researcher faced for the preparation of the study.

Research limitations

In this report, several limitations have also been faced by the researcher as for the designing of
the fan blade the researcher does not get access to the processes and design of the fan blade by
the companies. Apart from that, the high cost of undertaking the process of research is also a
major limitation. For the effective preparation and the fulfilment of the objectives of the research
sufficient funds is required as the cost of the processes is high. Apart from that, the lack of time
for the fulfilment of the research objectives is the major barriers which were required to be
mitigated. There is a range of functions and activities were required to be done by the researcher
for which effective management of time is required. However, for the completion of the study
the shortage of time was the major challenge for the researcher. Thus, the accessibility of
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journals relating to the designing of the fan blades in the FEA is the major limitation of the
research. The researcher does not get access to the information regarding the designing of the fan
blade as the access to the journals regarding the design and function which the bigger companies
utilised was difficult. Thus, as the primary data collection has not been done so that the
researcher does not have been able to get the understanding regarding the use of FEA by the
companies under the manufacturing industries.

Summary

In the summary, it has been stated that for the effective preparation and design of the fan blade
the effective consideration of the methodology is required so that the processes and approaches
of the research can be determined effectively. In this research, the positivism has been
considered so that the objectives of the research can be accomplished. Thus, the deductive
approach of research has also been considered in this research. Apart from that, the descriptive
research design has been chosen for the preparation of this research. Thus, secondary collection
of data has been done for the gathering of the finding related to the preparation and designing of
the fan blade with the help of FEA. It has been also seen that there are a range of limitation
which the researcher has faced for the successful preparation of the objectives of the study. Thus,
it is ethical considerations of the research have also been done in this research.

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