Project description
A test rig for curved fuselage panels
The EU-funded DEMONSTRATE project targets the development of an adaptable test rig suitable for testing full-scale aircraft curved panels of variable geometry with high accuracy and at a low cost. Advanced metrology, simulation and optimisation techniques that save time and costs on aeronautical sub-component testing will be applied. Specifically, the objective is to test the structural integrity of three airframe section demonstrators, two metallic and a thermoplastic fuselage panel with an integrated stiffening structure. The newly developed test bench will be used for executing static tests on advanced metallic and thermoplastic curved panels, representative of business jet fuselage structures, and endurance tests on an integrally stiffened 4th generation Al-Li curved panel.
Objective
DEMONSTRATE will realise an adaptable test rig, suitable for the full-scale testing of aircraft curved panels of variable geometry, at increased accuracy, reliability and cost-efficiency, through the advancement of innovative metrology technologies, simulation and optimisation, as well as application of innovative but cost-effective methodologies to reduce uncertainty, cost and time on aeronautical sub-components testing.
The objective of DEMONSTARTE, aligned to the ‘Innovative light metallic and thermoplastic airframe section full scale testing’ (JTI-CS2-2020-CFP11-AIR-03-10) topic is the full-scale testing of three airframe section demonstrators, two metallic and a thermoplastic fuselage panel with an integrated stiffening structure, to demonstrate their structural integrity, supported by advanced simulation methodologies correlated with experimental data.
A number of enabling technologies have been planned to be developed and matured within the duration of the project, which will result to the realisation of an efficient, reliable and cost-effective test bench suitable for the full-scale testing of curved aeronautical panels, including:
the development of a virtual testing methodology for the definition of the stiffened panels boundary and loading conditions; the further development of an innovative, cost-efficient, easily adaptable fuselage panel full-scale test bench concept; the development and/or adaptation of a wide range of novel measurement techniques; the development and application of advanced simulation methodologies.
The developed test bench will be used for the execution of static tests on advanced metallic and thermoplastic curved integrally stiffened full-scale panels, representative of a business jet fuselage structure and the execution of an endurance test on an integrally stiffened 4th generation Al-Li curved panel.
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Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
08193 Cerdanyola Del Valles Barcelona
Spain