The ability to measure full-field strains is desirable for analytical model validation or characterization of test articles for which there is no model. Of further interest is the ability to determine if a given environmental test’s boundary conditions are suitable to replicate the strain fields the test article undergoes in service. In this work, full-field strain shapes are estimated using a 3D scanning laser Doppler vibrometer and several post-processing methods. The processing methods are categorized in two groups: direct or transformation. Direct methods compute strain fields with only spatial filtering applied to the measurements. Transformation methods utilize SEREP shape expansion/smoothing of the measurements in conjunction with a finite element model. Both methods are used with mode shapes as well as operational deflection shapes. A comparison of each method is presented. It was found that performing a SEREP expansion of the mode shapes and post-processing to estimate strain fields was very effective, while directly measuring strains from ODS or modes was highly subject to noise and filtering effects.
Modal testing was performed on the uncut BARC structure as a whole and broken into its two sub-assemblies. The structure was placed on soft foam during the test. Excitation was provided with a small modal hammer attached to an actuator. Responses were measured using a 3D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer. Data, shapes, and geometry from this test can be downloaded in Universal File Format from the Sandia Connect SharePoint site.
The 3D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer (3D SLDV) has the ability to scan a large number of points with high accuracy compared to traditional roving hammer or accelerometer tests. The 3D SLDV has disadvantages, however, in that it requires line-of-sight from three scanning laser heads to the point being measured. This means that multiple scans can become necessary to measure large or complex parts, and internal components cannot typically be measured. In the past, large aerospace structures tested at Sandia National Laboratories typically have used a handful of accelerometer stations and instrumented internal components to characterize these test articles. This work describes two case studies that explore the advantages and difficulties in using a 3D SLDV to measure the same test articles with a much higher resolution scan of the exterior. This work proposes strategies for combining a large number of accelerometer channels with a high resolution laser scan. It explores the use of mirrors and laser head mounts to enable efficient re-alignment of the lasers with the test article when many scans are necessary, and it discusses the difficulties and pitfalls inherent with performing such a test.
The Structural Dynamics department at Sandia National Laboratories has acquired a 3D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer system for making vibration and modal test measurements. This paper presents the results of testing performed to examine the capabilities and limitations of that system. The test article under consideration was a conical part with two different surface materials which allowed the examination of the effect of angle of incidence and surface reflectivity on the measurement. The system was operated in both 1D and 3D modes, and the results from the 1D scan were compared to a scan performed with a previous generation system to evaluate the improvements between the generations. Data from the laser systems were exported to standard curve fitting software, and modes were fit to the data.
The Structural Dynamics department at Sandia National Laboratories has acquired a 3D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer system for making vibration and modal test measurements. This paper presents the results of testing performed to examine the capabilities and limitations of that system. The test article under consideration was a conical part with two different surface materials which allowed the examination of the effect of angle of incidence and surface reflectivity on the measurement. The system was operated in both 1D and 3D modes, and the results from the 1D scan were compared to a scan performed with a previous generation system to evaluate the improvements between the generations. Data from the laser systems were exported to standard curve fitting software, and modes were fit to the data.
A previous study in the UK demonstrated that vibration response on a scaled-down model of a missile structure in a wind tunnel could be replicated in a laboratory setting with multiple shakers using an approach dubbed as impedance matching. Here we demonstrate on a full scale industrial structure that the random vibration induced from a laboratory acoustic environment can be nearly replicated at 37 internal accelerometers using six shakers. The voltage input to the shaker amplifiers is calculated using a regularized inverse of the square of the amplitude of the frequency response function matrix and the power spectral density responses of the 37 internal accelerometers. No cross power spectral density responses are utilized. The structure has hundreds of modes and the simulation is performed out to 4000 Hz.
Sandia National Laboratories has recently purchased a Polytec 3D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer for vibration measurement. This device has proven to be a very nice tool for making vibration measurements, and has a number of advantages over traditional sensors such as accelerometers. The non-contact nature of the laser vibrometer means there is no mass loading due to measuring the response. Additionally, the laser scanning heads can position the laser spot much more quickly and accurately than placing an accelerometer or performing a roving hammer impact. The disadvantage of the system is that a significant amount of time must be invested to align the lasers with each other and the part so that the laser spots can be accurately positioned. The Polytec software includes a number of nice tools to aid in this procedure; however, certain portions are still tedious. Luckily, the Polytec software is readily extensible by programming macros for the system, so tedious portions of the procedure can be made easier by automating the process. The Polytec Software includes a WinWrap (similar to Visual Basic) editor and interface to run macros written in that programming language. The author, however, is much more proficient in Python, and the latter also has a much larger set of libraries that can be used to create very complex macros, while taking advantage of Python’s inherent readability and maintainability.
In the summer of 2020, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to launch a spacecraft as part of the Mars 2020 mission. One option for the rover on the proposed spacecraft uses a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) to provide continuous electrical and thermal power for the mission. NASA has prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The EIS includes information on the risks of mission accidents to the general public and on-site workers at the launch complex. The Nuclear Risk Assessment (NRA) addresses the responses of the MMRTG option to potential accident and abort conditions during the launch opportunity for the Mars 2020 mission and the associated consequences. This information provides the technical basis for the radiological risks of the MMRTG option for the EIS. This paper provides a summary of the methods and results used in the NRA.
In the summer of 2020, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to launch a spacecraft as part of the Mars 2020 mission. One option for the rover on the proposed spacecraft uses a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) to provide continuous electrical and thermal power for the mission. NASA has prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The EIS includes information on the risks of mission accidents to the general public and on-site workers at the launch complex. The Nuclear Risk Assessment (NRA) addresses the responses of the MMRTG option to potential accident and abort conditions during the launch opportunity for the Mars 2020 mission and the associated consequences. This information provides the technical basis for the radiological risks of the MMRTG option for the EIS. This paper provides a summary of the methods and results used in the NRA.