AIRBUS Beluga XL state-of-the-art techniques to perform a Ground Vibration Test campaign of a large aircraft

Abstract

After the completion of the Airbus A350 XWB 900 Ground Vibration Test (GVT) in 2013 and the A320 NEO GVT in July 2014, the ONERA-DLR joined team performed the GVT of the new BelugaXL aircraft in May-June 2018. The test was completed in 8 measurement days for 2 mass configurations, thanks to efficient methods and tools. The originality of this structure comes from its very large fuselage and its rear section with two large additional vertical planes, which made the modal identification particularly challenging. This paper describes the process followed, the methods used, and the interactions with engineers in charge of aeroelastic computations during the test, and how they allowed the success of this campaign.