Theoretical and experimental evaluations of strain field modification induced by flaws in loaded composite structures: The main objectives of the project is to develop, apply and validate numerical models of the strain field modification induced by the presence of flaws with different kind of morphology and size and to define virtual morphology for diagnostic indications provided by the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) data and software on damaged representative sub-components and structures. The project results will contribute also to innovative low cost and low weight processes and SHM technologies which will be integrated into the Outer Wing Box on ground demonstrator and into the Fuselage structural demonstrator with the objective to obtain: structural weight reduction, manufacturing and assembling recurring cost reduction, maintenance improvement and implementation of new eco-compatible materials and processes.

Objective of this proposal is to design, manufacture, test and support the adaptation of the test rig used to develop the Drive System for Compound Rotorcraft Demonstrator in the frame of IADP FRC. Based on the topic description published in this call our proposal suppose interconnection of the lateral rotor gearboxes via vertical transmission shafting, supported on two or three auxiliary bearing housings, in order to lock the two gearboxes together. The transmission shafting is connected to the lateral gearboxes by means of bevel gearings. Between flanges of the transmission shafting is inserted special hydraulic torque loader which make it possible to impose static or variable torque on gearboxes during operation/rotation according to a test program. The imposed torque is proportional to the pressure of the feed-in oil supplied to the device via quill shaft. Due to the back-to-back or face-to-face architecture, required power imput covers just losses in the gears and transmission shafting. Aeronautical Research and Test Establishment (VZLÚ) is a national centre for research, development and testing in aeronautics and space. VZLÚ and the potentially participating team has experiences with design of test benches for aircraft gas turbine engines (historically M601, M602) and its components like 2 stage 2 shafts radial flow compressor, to mention recent project, these are design of the test rigs for long term evaluation of aircraft turboprop gearboxes (Arrius 1D, TP100, TS100), test bench for turboprop engine with propeller, design of the internal technology for turboprop engine test cell, experimental system for testing of gas turbine combustor segments under elevated temperatures and pressures. Work team is well experienced and equipped with modern CAD technology, CFD and FEM solvers, and has long time cooperation experience with aircraft gearbox manufacturers (e.g. PBS Velka Bites, GE Aviation Czech).

The project proposal is aimed in category of Business Aviation/Short Range turboprop engines. The baseline core of ARDIDEN3 will be improved with focus, first of all upon combustion chamber for higher altitude operation, specific turbine and propulsive exhaust and specific control system. This way it will better fit with turboprop application. For this purpose the ARDIDEN3 core will be integrated with an innovative gear box, air inlet and advanced more electric propeller control system. Objective of the project proposal is to research, design, manufacture test and verify a new advanced, more electric propeller control system consisting of Propeller Control Unit, Overspeed Governor and Auxiliary Oil Pump, useful for operational conditions of the improved Turboprop engine developed by Turbomeca. The objective will be achieved by the following steps: 1. Definition of propeller control system design specifications with respect to the increased level of power influences due to the specific characteristic of the improved Turboprop engine. 2. Design of the Propeller Control Unit, Overspeed Governor and Auxiliary Oil Pump. 3. Production of the Propeller Control System equipment. 4. Testing of the Propeller Control Unit, Overspeed Governor and Auxiliary Oil Pump within internal testing procedures, and validation within environmental external testing and verification directly on the Turboprop engine demonstrator, in order to demonstrate the achievements. Based on the dynamic modeling, research and verification the new technical specifications will be established. Based on them a suitable, advanced more electric propeller control system will be designed, produced and tested. JIHOSTROJ is a company experienced and approved for design and production of propeller governors. VZLU is a research and testing establishment with more than 90 years of experience and tradition in aerospace activities.

The overall objectives of TAILTEST project are to perform structural tests to support the certification process of a rotorcraft tail and to develop and validate advanced numerical models for the simulation of debonding propagation in structural joints. A multipurpose test rig is required to serve the purposes of performing rotorcraft vertical tail structural tests, as well as, testing of representative structural joints (e.g. fin spar to skin). The starting point of the technical developments of TAILTEST will be the design and manufacturing of this multipurpose test rig. The results of the tests performed using the multipurpose test rig will have triple use: • they will support the certification process of the innovative fin, (testing of the innovative fin) • they will be used for the validation of the fin global FE model and • they will contribute to the investigation of stiffness and strength of novel joining technologies (testing of novel hybrid joint concepts). One key characteristic required by the test rig design is that the test rig will have variable stiffness, such that the actual behaviour of the fuselage at which the fin will be attached will be properly emulated. Having the test rig available, structural tests at sub-scale level will be performed, by incorporating the minimum amount of modifications at the test rig design. In this way, the multipurpose test rig will be exploited to the sub-scale level testing, too. Results of the tests at sub-component level, e.g. fin spar to skin hybrid joints, will facilitate the validation of advanced numerical models, which will be developed for predicting the debonding at the hybrid joint. These numerical models will be applied in the simulation of static and fatigue crack growth (debonding) of bonded composite joints. The model’s input parameters will be obtained from experimental tests on coupon level.