Structural verification testing of composite aircraf... - Transport ...

HELSINKI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Author:
Mikko Kanerva
ABSTRACT OF THE
MASTER’S THESIS
Title of the thesis:
Structural Verification Testing of Composite Aircraft Components
Date: March 11, 2009 Number of pages: 141
Faculty:
Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
Department:
Professorship:
Department of Applied Mechanics
Kul­34 Aeronautical Engineering
Supervisor:
Professor Olli Saarela
Instructor:
Timo Brander, M.Sc. (Tech.)
The object of this thesis is to describe the diverse means of aircraft component
verification testing. The work concentrates on structural testing and composite
structures. The study of structural testing is applied to NEFS structural verification
testing. NEFS is an international European aeronautics program striving for a new
aircraft flap­drive system including the structural design of the flap­track beam.
There are no common standards for component verification. The procedures,
requirements, and test arrangements are unique. Test methods, criteria, and load cases
are developed case­specifically. Test programs are usually evoked through specialist’s
years of experience. In spite of the uniqueness of component verification testing
there are fundamental issues which must be evaluated in all component testing.
These issues include test personnel organizational structure, aircraft component
requirements, demonstrations of environmental factors, load sequences, and adequate
measurement techniques. These issues are examined through an extensive literature
survey. Typical challenges of composite design are presented in relation to the
verification testing. General instructions for verification test program development are
presented.
A test program is developed according to the design requirements of NEFS. The
testing consists of five partial tests. These tests are a proof of concept test, two static
strength tests including environmental demonstrations, a damage tolerance test, and a
failure load test. Details of the load introduction are presented. The test program will
be used to conduct the structural verification testing of the NEFS composite flap­track
beam structure.