Structural monitoring, inspection and analysis

User interface of LEDA throughlife monitoring software

Development and qualification of a carbon epoxy slide block

Teardown inspection for the PA 200 Tornado

Structural monitoring to optimise the projectable maintenance

Through-life monitoring and continuous observation of the loads and strains on aircraft ensure a higher level of safety, reliability and enhance availability. Comparing real-life strains with verification qualification results provides valuable input on the determination of an aircraft‘s service life consumption. We have many years of experience in structural monitoring to optimise conditionoriented maintenance.

Structural health monitoring (SHM)

Efficient and permanent monitoring of structural integrity:

Strain data acquisition using sensor technology
Flight parameter acquisition via the Onboard-Life-Monitoring-System (OLMOS)
Correlation of measured structural loads with flight parameters
Software-driven determination of service life consumption using in-service and test load spectra

Fatigue management

Database-driven control of service life-relevant material sustainment measures (LEDA)

Weakness identification and analysis
Leveraging of know-how gained from comprehensive measurement programmes to individual aircraft (operational load measurement)
Use of modern technologies for the in-flight acquisition of flight and structural load parameters (flight load measurement)
Comparison of operation and qualification strains

Creation and realisation of concepts for the inspection as well as repairs / modifications

Analytical condition inspection and usage-dependent measures
Special inspections
Teardown inspections

NDT Services

Ensuring the structural integrity of an aircraft requires specific structural analyses and adapted structural inspections (visual, NDT). IABG provides expert advice concerning suitable measures for sustaining structural integrity and provide qualified technical personnel to perform structural inspections.

Structural analysis

Structural components can be analysed in our own materials testing laboratory (accredited in compliance with DIN EN ISO 17025). We conduct the tests in combination with structural strength calculations and damage analyses.

Material investigations

Determination of material properties
Material qualification
Further development of test methods and repair procedures
Characterisation of composite materials

Strength tests, calculations, method development

Identification of static, cyclic and fracture-mechanical properties in sample tests, including effects of thermal constraints
Establishment and parameterisation of material models
Evaluation of operational loads
Calculation of local strains and damage distribution
Optimisation of components with respect to fatigue strength
Development and optimisation of calculation and verification methods
Fatigue strength verification

Certification advice

Our experienced employees provide the following support in connection with the certification of new aircraft:

Consulting, certification-related technical evaluation and analysis of airframe, propulsion system, aircraft performance, avionics, software safety and IT security
Consulting and assistance with project planning, test management, certification methodology and procedures
Technical and scientific advice on structural issues in connection with the development and operation of aircraft
Evaluation of structural issues in connection with the certification and qualification of aircraft
EASA-qualified entity (EASA.2012.DE.QEIABG.01)