Ground Vibration Test achieved by Deutsche Aircraft and DLR on the D328 UpLift demonstrator
The D328 UpLift flying testbed, D-CUPL, has successfully undergone a critical procedure in aircraft development – the Ground Vibration Test (GVT). This test is a significant milestone in the UpLift project, an initiative focused on boosting innovation and economic value creation in sustainable aviation.
The UpLift programme, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, aims to accelerate the maturation of new technologies for sustainable aviation. The D328 UpLift, suspended using actively controlled air springs during a two-week test period, was subjected to various vibrations to determine its modal properties, including natural frequencies, damping ratios, and mode shapes.
A total of 237 acceleration sensors were used to capture the dynamic response of the D328 UpLift during the test. The structure of the aircraft was activated at 20 locations using electrodynamic shakers. The information from the GVT is used for validating structural dynamics and refining numerical models, such as the Global Finite Element Model (GFEM), in support of the structural modifications designed for the UpLift D-CUPL.
Julian Sinske from the DLR Institute of Aeroelasticity and Simon Binder, Senior Engineer, Loads & Aeroelastics, at Deutsche Aircraft, both praised the efficient execution of the GVT. Julian Sinske stated, "The ground vibration test was an important milestone in the UpLift project." Simon Binder added, "We are pleased with the successful GVT campaign."
The test results allow for the evaluation of upcoming modifications to the research aircraft in terms of their aeroelastic behavior. The GVT results are also essential for flutter analysis and loads calculation. The next phase of modifications to the research aircraft design of the UpLift project, the D-CUPL, is planned for 2023.
The UpLift programme not only focuses on technological advancements but also on the economic value creation in sustainable aviation. With the successful completion of the GVT, the UpLift project is one step closer to achieving its goals and contributing to a more sustainable future for aviation.
