New Concepts for Ground and Flight Vibration Testing of Aircraft based on Output-Only Modal Analysis

Abstract

In this paper, recent advances in ground vibration testing and flight vibration testing of aircraft as applied at DLR, the German Aerospace Center, are presented. The new methods are based on output-only modal analysis and have been developed with specific focus on efficient certification of experimental aircraft operated by DLR. Quite often these aircraft are modified to fulfill scientific missions, e.g. installation of equipment for atmospheric research in wing stores, modification of aircraft aerodynamics or aircraft systems for drag and weight reduction, etc. For this reason, DLR is interested in the development, maturation and application of advanced test methods for ground vibration testing and flight vibration testing, because the selection of the test method has strong impact on the cost for certification and the availability of the aircraft for the intended scientific missions.