Modern Solutions for Ground Vibration Testing of Large Aircraft

Abstract

Ground Vibration Testing (GVT) of aircraft is typically performed very late in the development process. Main purpose of the test is to obtain experimental vibration data of the whole aircraft structure for validating and improving its structural dynamic models. Among other things, these models are used to predict the flutter behaviour and carefully plan the safety-critical in-flight tests. Due to the limited availability of the aircraft for a GVT and the fact that multiple configurations need to be tested, an extreme time pressure exists to get the test results. The aim of the paper is to discuss recent hardware and software technology advancements for performing a GVT that are able to realize an important testing and analysis time reduction without compromising the accuracy of the results. The paper will also look at the connection between the GVT and the other components of the development process by indicating how the GVT can be planned using the virtual prototype of the aircraft and how the GVT data analysis results can be used to obtain a highly reliable model for flutter prediction. The presented modern GVT solutions will be illustrated using the recently performed demonstration test on the A310 and certification test on the A330 MRTT.