Thermal Scale Modeling by FEM and Test

• Published in: Journal of aerospace engineering Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 24 - 33
• Main Authors: Sabour, M. H, Bhat, R. B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Society of Civil Engineers 01-01-2010
• Subjects: Aerospace engineering; Aircraft; Aircraft components; Computer simulation; Design analysis; Design engineering; Dimensional analysis; Finite element method; Mathematical models; Phase transformations; Prototypes; Scale models; TECHNICAL PAPERS; Tests; Thermal environments; Thermal factors
• ISSN: 0893-1321; 1943-5525
• DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0893-1321(2010)23:1(24)

Scale model approach in thermal testing of aircraft components has been proposed in this study. The idea of thermal scaling has been validated experimentally. Quite often, it may not be possible to carry out experimental validation of design analysis at high temperatures on prototype structures at the design stage since exact simulation of thermal environments may not be possible. Under such conditions, the designer may resort to study the structural behavior using scale model testing at a different temperature where the material does not change phase at the scaled temperature.