Method for fabricating a gas turbine exhaust centerbody and exhaust body

A centerbody (120) for a gas turbine engine includes a thermal control system (140) which minimizes the thermal stresses between the centerbody (120) and a plurality of stiffeners (80). The centerbody stiffeners extend radially inward from a centerbody shell (122). A cavity (138) is defined within each centerbody stiffener. The thermal control system includes a plurality of openings (142) circumferentially disposed around the centerbody. Each opening extends through the centerbody shell into each cavity. The openings include pairs of entrance openings (144) and exit openings (146) which permit circumferential flow to develop within the centerbody cavity.