Aircraft ground vibration testing

Aircraft ground vibration testing (GVT) is a major milestone in the airworthiness certification process. GVT delivers experimental vibration data for the entire aircraft structure in order to validate and improve its structural dynamic models. Models are used to predict flutter behavior and plan safety critical flight tests.

This white paper discusses several techniques to accelerate the airworthiness certification process while delivering extensive and insightful data in the shortest possible time. These techniques help engineers perform GVT more efficiently without compromising the accuracy of the results.

Airworthiness certification for next-generation aircraft

Stringent regulations for reduced emissions adds complexity to airworthiness certification for next-generation aircraft. Innovative aircraft architectures and lightweight structures that use composite materials, for example, bring uncertainties around the aircraft structural dynamics performance.

Electric propulsion systems offer further possibilities for disruptive vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft configurations and new urban air mobility concepts. These innovative designs increase the workload required to validate and tune their performance, while time constraints remain. Engineers are under pressure to meet program deadlines while lacking experience and data about the aircraft structural dynamics performance.

Simcenter for GVT and efficient aircraft structural dynamics

Beyond GVT, Simcenter offers a scale of solutions for efficient aircraft structural dynamics testing. Simcenter testing solutions eliminate the need for extensive trial-and-error testing and time-consuming setups. They help you focus on the problem’s root cause using state-of-the-art modal parameter identification methods and straightforwardly identify the optimal solution to address structural weaknesses.

From simple impact testing to large-scale modal surveys, structural dynamics testing helps you solve a wide range of vibration issues. Explore the breadth of the Simcenter state-of-the-art solutions at Simcenter for structural dynamics testing.

How to perform efficient aircraft ground vibration testing

Engineers under extremely tight deadlines, considering the limited aircraft availability, need to perform ground vibration tests that are faster, more efficient and deliver better insights into the aircraft behavior.

Are you struggling to meet the test requirements in time?

Read this white paper, Efficient aircraft ground vibration testing, and you will learn how to:

• Shrink test setup time by integrating your finite element (FE) model into the test preparation.
• Efficiently verify the test setup by using the appropriate hardware and software solutions.
• Take advantage of a full range of excitation signals to accelerate your measurements.
• Benefit from swift data processing and estimate your modal parameters faster and easier.
• Update the aircraft’s FE model in full confidence.

Not familiar with the topics described in the white paper? Start at the beginning by reading the knowledge-base article: Aircraft ground vibration testing and flutter analysis. This will get you covered on the basics and ready to learn more.