Structural Fatigue Testing
Research Project
- Start Date:
- 17 October, 2011
- Project Status:
- Active
DSTO is a world leader in full scale fatigue testing, conducting fatigue tests on many military and civilian air structures and engine components.
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- Structural fatigue test of an F/A-18 aircraft
Full scale fatigue testing is the cornerstone of structural airworthiness for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). DSTO maintains a leading edge capability and contributes to the development of world best practice in testing and research.
DSTO’s recent full scale fatigue testing and research includes:
- Fatigue testing of ex-service F/A-18 wing attachment bulkheads;
- Full-scale fatigue testing of the Hawk Lead-in Fighter airframe;
- Real time corrosion fatigue interaction program;
- Environmentally assisted fatigue crack tests in Collins Class submarines; and
- Bulkhead to hull connection tests in fibre composite ship hulls.
Using the results of fatigue tests, DSTO is able to identify the most likely locations and time of failure of critical points within an aircraft structure. Full scale fatigue testing programs are typically supported by extensive component and coupon test programs, conducted using the axial testing machines located in the H A Wills Structural Test Centre.
DSTO’s accomplishments in this area were recognised in 2002 when it was awarded the prestigious Von Karman award by the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, for its outstanding structural fatigue test of the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft.
DSTO has a broad range of capabilities to complement its fatigue testing expertise, including:
- Fleet usage data analysis;
- Life prediction methodologies;
- Aircraft loads development;
- Non-destructive inspection technology;
- Failure analysis;
- Quantitative fractography;
- Materials testing;
- Fatigue life enhancement techniques;
- Advanced repair techniques; and
- Stores clearance and flutter analysis.
The DSTO Structural Fatigue Testing fact sheet contains more scientific and historical information about structural fatigue testing at DSTO.
