The Structural Test Floor is a 35' x 35' test bed located in the Department's hangar at the Lawrence Airport. This test bed is capable of point loads up to 4,000 pounds. Associated with the test floor is a steel frame capable of static testing full scale aircraft as large as a Beech Queen Air. For example, the signature, or modal characteristics, of an aircraft component may be determined in order to properly design a control system or prevent aerodynamic flutter. Vibration excitation is provided by both an electrodynamic shaker and a modal hammer.
Current research is focused on controlling flexible space structures.
The computer controls actuators, including a linear stepper motor, via a precision power amplifier. Mechanical Testing Facilities Mechanical Testing Facilities are shared with the Mechanical and Civil Engineering. These facilities provide testing capabilities for articles ranging from material coupons to large-scale structures. Additional equipment for experimental stress analysis includes a reflection polariscope and a portable four beam Moir ' interferometer. The Composites Materials Laboratory is a shared facility with the Department of Mechanical Engineering.