Vibration and high-cycle fatigue testing/analysis of advanced materials and structures.
The Advanced Research Laboratory for Multifunctional Lightweight Structures (ARL-MLS) specializes in testing, simulation, and optimization of new materials and structural designs in automotive, aerospace, nuclear, and biomedical applications. The ARL-MLS facility offers high-level testing and computational resources that focus on vibration and high-cycle fatigue. The equipment includes a range of electrodynamic shakers for low-load to high-load applications, a large piezoelectric shaker that can provide high loading at frequencies in the kilohertz range, fibre-optic strain measurement capabilities, and a variety of transducers and non-contact laser sensors. The facility has successfully carried out testing with industry partners on a wide range of components, including advanced lightweight alloys and composite structures. With the current facilities, the ARL-MLS is giving rise to exciting new developments in multifunctional and lightweight design solutions.
- Testing
- Modelling
- Analysis
- Optimization
- Aerospace and satellites
- Automotive
- Construction (including building, civil engineering, specialty trades)
- Manufacturing and processing
Specialized labs and equipment
| Equipment | Function |
|---|---|
| 660lbf electrodynamic shaker | Shaker for high-cycle fatigue testing of medium to large parts |
| 110lbf electrodynamic shaker | Shaker for modal excitation and high- cycle fatigue testing of small parts |
| Piezoelectric shaker | Large load shaker for high- cycle fatigue testing in kilohertz range |
| 2D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer | Extraction of natural frequencies and 2D mode shapes using non-contact laser that scans the surface of the part |
| Laser displacement probe | Non-contact measurement of displacement at a single point |
| Fibre-optic strain gauge interrogator | Processes response from fibre-optic strain gauges |
| Transducers | Large range of accelerometers and impact hammers for a variety of applications |
Private and public sector research partners
- Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
- Bombardier Aerospace (Bombardier Inc.)
- Honeywell Canada
- SPP Canada Aircraft Inc.
- UTC Aerospace Systems
- Van-Rob Inc.