Database-supported correlation of modal data – the DLR Correlation Tool

Kurzfassung

This paper describes the software "Correlation Tool" developed by the DLR-Institute of Aeroelasticity for the correlation of modal datasets obtained from ground vibration tests and modal survey tests. During modal testing of a transport aircraft up to 30 different exciter locations are used. From these, roughly 300 different datasets of frequency response functions are being generated, including different excitation signals and different excitation force levels. The motivation for the development of the Correlation Tool emerges from the need to efficiently correlate a huge number of experimental modal datasets with the objective to build a representative and accurate modal substitute model. The database is presented, which is the core of the Correlation Tool. Afterwards, special features will be discussed, that enable efficient and meaningful correlation. This is followed by a description of the graphical user interface in order to make the correlation clear and fast. Furthermore, possibilities are shown to extract information about statistical scatter and even nonlinear trends from the measured data in the database.