In the aerospace industry, a few key steps are sometimes required in the evolution of a new product in order to validate and certify the final product. Some of these steps are not unique to the aerospace business and are readily applied to many other product types. However, there are some requirements imposed in the analysis and testing of new aerospace products which are not as rigorously imposed in other industries. One area where this is particularly true is in the development and validation of a finite element model which is used to describe the dynamic behavior of the structure. This is generally a requirement in verifying the predicted dynamic loads or stability conditions. The general approach followed to verify the finite element model is to use the model to prepare for a modal test program (also known as a Ground Vibration Test).

ATA has developed methods and software programs to efficiently perform model updating and the many correlation checks that are part of this process. CORDS, a very accurate program developed by SDRC for rapidly and directly improving the finite element model, uses a combination of design sensitivity and optimization techniques to modify properties in the finite element model such as shell thickness or beam properties.

Technical Papers

Brillhart, R., T. Deiters, and K. Smith, "Improving Model Correlation Through Test Preparation and Conduct." [folder 391]

Mast, J.R., D.J. Graff, and C.D. Botos, "Modal Test and Correlation of the Castor IVA Solid Rocket Motor." [folder 408]

Flanigan, C., C. D.Botos, "Improvement of the Centaur Modal Survey Test Correlation using Dynamic Expansion," 15th International Modal Analysis Conference, Orlando, Florida, February 3-6, 1997

Brillhart, R., M. Baker, and T. Deiters, "Improved Speaker Cabinet Design Using Test/Analysis Correlation," 13th International Modal Analysis Conference, Nashville, Tennessee, February 13-16, 1995. [folder 374]

Brillhart, R., Johnson, C., Deiters, T., and Bies, M., "Model Improvement and Correlation of the Pegasus XL Launch Vehicle via Modal Testing," 13th International Modal Analysis Conference, Nashville, Tennessee, February 13-16, 1995. [folder 367]

Dreyer, W., Freed, A., "Structural Qualification Test/Analysis Correlation for the Space Shuttle Redesigned Solid Rocket Booster." [folder 362]

Flanigan, C., and J. Freymiller, "Using Dynamic Expansion to Improve Test-Analysis Correlation," 12th International Modal Analysis Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. 31 - Feb. 3, 1994. [folder 356]

Blelloch, P., "Direct Correlation of Test-Analysis Cross-Orthogonality," Modal Analysis: The International Journal of Analytical and Experimental Modal Analysis, v. 8 no. 3., p. 247-255, July, 1993. [folder 319]

Baker, M., "Review of Test/Analysis Correlation Methods and Criteria for Validation of Finite Element Models for Dynamic Analysis," 1992. [folder 325]

Brillhart, R., "Advanced Modal Test and Correlation Methods Applied to the Atlas II Payload Fairing," 1991. [folder 309]

Brillhart, R., A. Freed, D. Hunt, and T.L. Chism, "Modal Test and Correlation of the Commercial Titan Dual Payload Carrier," Eighth International Modal Analysis Conference, Kissimmee, FL, Jan./Feb., 1990. [folder 289]