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Ground Vibration and RAP Testing
Ground vibration testing (GVT) and Resonance Assessment Profile (RAP) testing are modal test techniques specifically focused on aircraft and spacecraft. The natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios obtained from these tests provide critical information for flight safety assessments including flutter and structural dynamics.
GVT & RAP
Aircraft & Spacecraft
Ground vibration testing (GVT) measures the dynamic response characteristics of an airframe using multiple shakers and accelerometers with multiple input multiple output (MIMO) signal processing and analysis.
Resonance assessment profile (RAP) testing measures the dynamic response characteristics of a component, or system such as a control surface, sensor or external stores using a modal hammer to excite vibration of the test article.
GVT also aids engineers in determining the modal characteristics for an entire airplane, and it is usually done late in the development phase.
Applications for GVT and RAP testing include new airframe designs and modifications to established designs of fixed wing aircraft, rotorcraft, and spacecraft.
Contact for GVT and/or RAP Services
Ground Vibration Testing &
RAP Services Include:
- Flight safety assessment
- Strain measurements
- Flutter analysis support
- Flight vibration measurements
- Vibroacoustic qualification testing
- Natural frequencies and mode shapes
- Supplemental type certificate support
- Resolve Sub-pm vibration and velocities
- Measurement and analysis of torque ripple
- Analysis of transient and non-stationary events
Related Mechanical Testing Services Offered
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Vibration Diagnostics
Identify the root cause of noise and vibration problems in aerospace or industrial machinery via ODS, spectral, order tracking or joint time frequency analysis.