Free interface blade mistuning model: Experimental validation with measured blade variability and contact conditions

Accurate modeling of mistuning in bladed disks requires a consistent representation of blade-to-blade variability and its impact on the assembled system dynamics. This work presents an experimental validation of a reduced-order modeling approach for mistuned bladed disks, where the variability of individual components is directly derived from measurements. Free–free modal hammer tests are performed on individual blades to quantify the dispersion in natural frequencies arising from manufacturing tolerances and geometric variability. These experimentally measured perturbations are introduced into the reduced-order formulation of the blade component, enabling a physically consistent representation of intrinsic mistuning. The finite element model of the disk is updated based on experimental data, and the full assembly is modeled using a component mode synthesis framework, combining Rubin reduction for the blades and Craig–Bampton reduction for the disk. The assembled bladed disk is experimentally characterized through modal testing, and the numerical predictions are compared against the measured natural frequencies and mode shapes. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach accurately captures the effect of blade variability on the global dynamic behavior. The study highlights the effectiveness of incorporating experimentally derived blade properties into reduced-order model, providing a robust and physically interpretable framework for the analysis of mistuned bladed disks.