AFD has the capability to provide stress support for the definition, execution and post-test analysis/reporting of structural tests.

AFD's consultants are equipped with extensive experience in defining:

• Tests at every level (i.e. coupon through to full-scale) that support the development and qualification of metallic and composite structures in the field of aircraft and rotorcraft design.



• Appropriate techniques for constraining the test article and introducing test loads in a representative and, often, simplified manner.



• Test article build standard, instrumentation requirements (i.e. strain gauges, deflection transducers, load cells etc..), artificial manufacturing defects/ deliberate impact damage in composite parts, and artificial flaws in metal parts.



• Simplified test spectra to enable fatigue test programmes to be performed over much reduced time periods.



• Optimised test procedures/programmes that maximise the amount of data/tests that can be gained from an entire test programme.

AFD's consultants are also experienced in the post-processing of test results including the investigation of test failures and the validation of FE models through comparison of strain gauge and deflection measurements with FE model predictions.