Innovative Approach to Full Scale Fatigue Testing using Hybrid Methodologies

Targeting our overall SBIR objectives of (a) developing concepts for airframe full-scale fatigue testing utilizing the latest advancements in test hardware and sensor technology to correctly impart low and high frequency loads and capture data with high fidelity, and (b) demonstrating such a concept by building and testing reduced model substructure of airframe, we build upon Phase I effort on an initial 3-DOF test system set up and preliminary tests. Continuing our initial Phase I effort testing using 3-DOF test set up on an idealized structure, we propose to achieve in Phase II (a) completion of tests of the idealized structure using 3-DOF system and (b) conduct tests on a non-idealized structure, either by reconfiguring the 3-DOF test rig or by designing and building a completely a new 6-DOF test system. These efforts will provide a solid platform to develop a complete test of rotorcraft major airframe substructure.