EF2 fatigue test at IABG waits for the wings

IABG carries out EF2 –and EW- fatigue test on the A350 XWB on behalf of Airbus.

Objective of the structural tests is the verification of strength, fatigue and damage tolerance of the aircraft’s primary structure which is almost completely made from composite materials.

EF2 test comprises fatigue tests on the middle fuselage section (arrived last June to Erding), including wing box and wings.

In the course of the EF2 test campaign, the aircraft´s structure is stressed with 88 servo-hydraulic cylinders to simulate all substantial stress factors occurring during flight operation. Distributed load introduction into the test structure is ensured via load bearing harnesses. Landing gear, engines and aerodynamic components are simulated by replacement structures.

The test includes the simulation of a total of 86.400 flights. This equates to 3 times the intended lifespan. The simulation will be accompanied by regular inspections and measurement campaigns. As soon as the wings arrive IABG site in Erding (Germany) in coming weeks, the IABG and Airbus experts will begin with the final assembly and complete the experimental setup. First test series are to start at the beginning of 2014.

IABG is using a test hangar (71mx71m length x width) on the premises of the airbase Erding to carry out this structural test campaign. The hangar of 28,5 metres height has modular and mobile panels which allows to carry out the EW and the EF2 in the same test hangar.