Bench Test of a Full-Scale Active Twist Blade Segment

Abstract

The design, manufacturing and testing of a full scale active twist blade segment is presented. Customized coupon tests for material characterization establish the basis for the optimization of the design of a full scale active twist blade. A complex multiaxial bench test is developed to prove the durability of the blade structure and in particular of the piezoceramic actuators under fatigue loading. Analyzing the measurement results it is demonstrated that the derived blade design enables the integrated piezoceramic actuators to sustain the cyclic loading at all load levels up to limit load without failure. Only a minor decrease of active performance is observed that can be compensated since there is enough performance margin available.