|
Holographic Interferometry has been successfully employed to characterize the materials and behavior of diverse types of structures under stress. Specialized variations of this technology have also been applied to define dynamic and vibration related structural behavior. Such applications of holographic technique offer some of the most effective methods of modal and dynamic analysis available. Real-time dynamic testing of the model behavior of aerodynamic control structures for advanced missiles systems has always required advanced instrumentation for data collection in either actual flight test or wind-tunnel simulations. Advanced optical holographic techniques are alternate methods which define actual behavioral data on the ground in a noninvasive hardware-in-the-loop environment. These methods offer significant insight in both the development and subsequent operational test and modeling of advanced composite control structures and their integration with total vehicle system dynamics. Structures and materials can be analyzed with very low amplitude excitation and the resultant data can be used to adjust the accuracy of mathematically derived structural models. Holographic Interferometry has offered a powerful tool to aid in the primary engineering and development of advanced graphite-epoxy fiber composite structures which are finding increased use in advanced aerodynamic platforms. Smart weapon and missile control structure applications must consider environments where extremes in vibration and mechanical stresses can affect both operation and structural stability. These are ideal requisites for analysis using advanced holographic methods in the initial design and subsequent test of such advanced components. Holographic techniques are non-destructive, real-time, and definitive in allowing the identification of vibrational modes, displacements, and motion geometries. Deriving such information without having to resort to in-flight data collection methods can be crucial to the determination of mechanical configurations and designs, as well as critical operational parameters.
|
