Publications

Using modal projection error to predict success of a six degree of freedom shaker test

Schoenherr, Tyler F.; Lee, Janelle K.; Porter, Justin

Six degree of freedom shaker tests are becoming more popular as they save testing time because they test a component in multiple directions in one test rather than executing multiple tests in one direction at a time. However, there are several difficulties in conducting a component six degree of freedom shaker test in a way that adequately replicates the component field stress. One difficulty is knowing if a classical rigid test fixture will produce component modes that span the displacement space of the component in the field environment. If the modes of the component while attached to a rigid fixture do not span the space of the component in the field environment, then the test will be unable to replicate that motion and corresponding stresses. This paper will examine the motion of the Removable Component of the BARC hardware in an field assembly and calculate the modal projection error expected by executing a six degree of freedom shaker test on a rigid fixture. The paper will conclude by examining the data and comparing it to the pre-test predictions of error calculated by the modal projection error.