Design and development of an experimental bench concept for testing of fuselage stiffened panels, using a virtual testing methodology
Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
ISSN: 0002-2667
Article publication date: 8 November 2023
Issue publication date: 6 February 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Fuselage structures are subjected to combinations of axial, bending, shear and differential pressure loads. The validation of advanced metallic and composite fuselage designs against such loads is based on the full-scale testing of the fuselage barrel, which, however, is highly demanding from a time and cost viewpoint. This paper aims to assist in scaling-down the experimentation to the stiffened panel level which presents the opportunity to validate state-of-the-art designs at higher rates than previously attainable.
Design/methodology/approach
Development of a methodology to successfully design tests at the stiffened panel level and realize them using advanced, complex and adaptable test-rigs that are capable of introducing independently a set of distinct load types (e.g. internal overpressure, tension, shear) while applying appropriate boundary conditions at the edges of the stiffened panel.
Findings
A baseline test-rig configuration was developed after extensive parametric modelling studies at the stiffened panel level. The realization of the loading and boundary conditions on the test-rig was facilitated through innovative supporting and loading system set-ups.
Originality/value
The proposed test bench is novel and compared to the conventional counterparts more viable from an economic and manufacturing point of view. It leads to panel responses, which are as close as possible to those of the fuselage barrel in-flight and can be used for the execution of static or fatigue tests on metallic and thermoplastic curved integrally stiffened full-scale panels, representative of a business jet fuselage.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research has received funding from the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101007881 (under the call H2020-CS2-CFP11-2020–01): DEMONSTRATE Demonstration of Novel Fuselage Structural Integrity.
The authors would like to thank the following people working in Applus Laboratories in Barcelona: Alfonso Carpio, Ignacio Arrufat and Jose Polo, who also participated in the project and provided support throughout the research.
Citation
Kordas, P., Fotopoulos, K., Lampeas, G., Karelas, E. and Louizos, E. (2024), "Design and development of an experimental bench concept for testing of fuselage stiffened panels, using a virtual testing methodology", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 96 No. 1, pp. 14-26. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-04-2023-0116
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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