Correlation of Results of an OH-58A Helicopter Composite Tail Boom Test with a Finite Element Model

摘要

The results of testing an OH-58A composite tail boom and comparing its static and dynamic characteristics with those obtained from finite element analyses are presented in this report. Static load versus deflection data were used to verify the stiffness representation of the finite element model. Ground vibration test data were used to evaluate frequency and modal responses obtained from analysis. Discussions of each test configuration, including data analysis methodology and correlation results, are presented. Differences between measured static deflections and finite element analysis calculated deflections range from 6 to 12 percent. Natural frequency differences between test and analysis were less than 5 percent for the first and second elastic modes. Problems encountered during the testing and the impact on correlation are also discussed.