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Session: Session 13: Full-scale fatigue testing I
Session starts: Wednesday 28 June, 13:30
Presentation starts: 14:50
Room: Theatre room: plenary

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Ben Main (Defence Science and Technology Group)
Isaac Field (Defence Science and Technology Group)
Keith Muller (RMIT University)
Ricardo Filipe do Rosario (RUAG)
Mirco Figliolino (armasuisse)
Simon Barter (RMIT University)

Abstract:
The Swiss Titanium Research Experiments on the Classic Hornet (STRETCH) is a collaboration between Swiss and Australian Governments, with support of RMIT University and RUAG Switzerland, to experimentally evaluate small fatigue crack growth in titanium combat aircraft structures, to improve related analytical tools and finally to support with its results the Swiss F/A-18 life extension program. The centrepiece of the collaboration is the full-scale fatigue test (FSFT) of a Swiss F/A-18 C/D centre barrel. Research undertaken includes coupon level small fatigue crack growth (FCG) studies, damage induction studies, and full-scale durability and damage tolerance (DaDT) testing. The coupon level small FCG tests focused on spectrum truncation and marker band studies for recrystallization annealed Ti-6Al-4V. These studies included a marker band development set of tests and the application of the best result in conjunction with quantitative fractography (QF) to provide the groundwork for the FSFT spectrum design. A novel method of damage induction has also been investigated that utilises plasma arc spot melting to impart precise and localised damage to the Ti-6Al-4V bulkheads of the test article. This damage induction method is shown to impart controllable crack-like damage down to depths less than 0.01 inches (0.254 mm). Finally, DaDT testing of the F/A-18 C/D centre barrel has demonstrated the full-scale application of the derived spectrum and damage induction methods. This paper shall present an overview of each of these research streams encompassed within the STRETCH project with a focus on the preparatory component of the durability and damage tolerance phases of the titanium full-scale centre barrel fatigue test.