Visit the RHD Division Homepage C-130 Center Wing Structural Testing Sample project below - select a project link to view additional information Crack Detection Technology Testing Structural Testing Featured Projects:Threaded fasteners are an often overlooked, critical component of every mechanical system. MERC has the ability to combine testing, analysis and design expertise to ensure the safety and durability of any bolted joint.By measuring bolt load during large assembly tests, MERC can determine how load is shared between members and fasteners in an assembly. MERC’s bolt load data acquisition system is portable; this allows MERC to travel to the location of large equipment, aircraft or to fixed installations to take measurements of in-service loads during real use. This can provide real-world data to be used during analysis or as part of a lab test program.This equipment uses ultrasonic signals to measure the change in length of a bolt as it undergoes various loading. The advantages of this method are that it requires no modification of the bolt, can take and record data continuously and is highly accurate. By recording bolt load using ultrasonics and applied torque using a torque cell or electronic torque wrench, MERC can establish relationships between applied torque, joint clamp load, thread friction, and under head/nut friction. This information can help designers and maintainers determine the optimum fastener installation procedures to ensure safety and durability of bolted joints. MERC has expertise in the area of threaded fasteners including design, analysis and testing. Bolted joint clamp load and applied load can be measured using MERC’s ultrasonic equipment. Threaded Fastener TestingMERC has the ability to meet any special testing needs. If your component or assembly is too large or of an awkward shape for one of our load frames, we can design and build a custom testing solution for your application. MERC has onsite design, fabrication and analysis capabilities for creating fixtures for everything from specialized coupon testing up to the testing of large components that see very high displacements. Our structural actuator can be mounted anywhere in our lab and provides +/- 22,500 lb of force and 10 inches of displacement with precision control over force and displacement. This flexibility allows MERC to test objects that are too large or too heavy to test otherwise. MERC can even install this actuator in a stationary vehicle to recreate internal loads in a structure or mechanism.Custom Test DevelopmentAt MERC we can use our analysis, testing, threaded fastener and measurement expertise to provide our customers with all the information to ensure that your products are as safe, efficient and durable.Finally, MERC has full data acquisition capabilities. Applied load, displacement, strain (either through strain gages or extensometers), temperature, acceleration and bolt clamp load can all be measured and recorded to leverage the most value from each test.In addition, any coupon or fastener test that cannot be performed on our 22 kip load frame can easily be accommodated on one of our larger load frames. This provides MERC with the ability to test very large coupons and fasteners for off-highway and large aerospace applications.• Fatigue/dynamic test frequencies up to 60 Hz• Specimen sizes up to 51.5 inches • Specimen deflection of up to 10 inches• Static testing to +/- 22,500 lb• Fatigue testing to +/- 20,000 lbAdditionally, MERC can perform fastener testing including determining clamp load vs. applied torque fatigue and static strength and full joint testing. MERC’s coupon and fastener test capabilities include;Small component structural testing and material property characterization testing Additionally, full-scale structural testing sometime requires the application of more than one load vector; MERC has the ability to use a second structural actuator to apply loads in a second direction. For complex loading situations this can provide MERC and the customer with the ability to truly replicate real life loading scenarios for either fatigue testing or static testing of large assemblies or components.Using an MTS 810 load frame with removable hydraulic grips, MERC can perform a variety of coupon tests, as well as fastener tests. Coupon testing capabilities include tests for elastic and shear modulus, shear, tensile and compressive strength on flat, round or any other shape specimen. MERC has the ability to characterize composite layups and sandwich panels, including the constituent material properties using combinations of tensile, direct shear and flexural beam tests to various ASTM standards. MERC can perform crack growth (?K vs. da/dN) fatigue and static coupon tests.
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• Specimen deflection of up to 6 inches• Specimen sizes up to 15 feetMERC can also provide the analysis capability to analyze test data and make correlations to finite element models or flight/road test data to ensure that the customer gets the highest possible benefit to any structural testing program. For fatigue testing or durability testing MERC can apply sinusoidal constant amplitude, sinusoidal loads of varying amplitudes, or spectra loading. This allows MERC to test alternate designs to determine which has a longer life or use flight or road test data to help determine the actual service life of a component, system or assembly. For static testing, MERC can apply loads in any increment or as a ramp function at any rate. Utilizing an MTS 311 load frame, MERC can perform full scale structural testing on very large components or assemblies. From automation equipment to large transport aircraft, MERC can design and carry-out a testing program to ensure safety and reliability of your system. Full scale structural testing of parts or assemblies of production automobiles, off highway vehicles, racing cars, light aircraft, helicopters and commercial and military aircraft can have tremendous benefits to design programs as well as maintenance or sustainment activities. MERC’s large scale testing capabilities include; © 1987-2012 Mercer Engineering Research Center 135 Osigian Blvd. • Warner Robins, GA 31088info@merc-mercer.org • www.merc-mercer.org • 478.953.6800• Fatigue/dynamic test frequencies up to 20 Hz• Static testing to +/- 265,000 lb • Fatigue testing to +/- 220,000 lbFull scale structural testing and fatigue testing

Structural Testing