Destructive Testing of Open Rotor Propeller Blades for Extreme Operation Conditions

Abstract

Due to the complexity of composite material, accurate manufacturing is very complicated and carry over a large number of uncertainties, the process of optimization and validation being of primary importance. In this paper as part of design technology for rotor blades, the process of mechanical testing against severe working conditions using Acoustic Emission (AE) is discussed. As part of this process, the dynamic behaviour is analysed with validation and model updating of the structure and material properties, followed by structural tests under loads specific to the operational conditions. The results presented show how the appropriate AE technique has been implemented in order to obtain relevant data and focus on specific areas of interest for the design development, for correlation between modelling and experimental testing, the structure being tested to the ultimate load.