UDRI scientists and engineers solve complex problems to help customers accomplish their missions or achieve their objectives. Through using sound and accepted practices, and by developing innovative, often groundbreaking techniques, we find solutions to the most difficult structural and system-related challenges.
For over 30 years, UDRI Structures researchers have solved complex engineering problems and conducted structures-related research and development. We approach and address unusual and challenging structural engineering problems by combining existing analysis and testing technology, developing computational and experimental techniques, and cultivating new materials and manufacturing methods. We apply computational mechanics (especially finite element analysis), combining the principles of engineering mechanics with approximation techniques and numerical methods, to solve complex stress, thermal, impact, vibration, and other structural problems.
UDRI has significant experience working with aircraft subsystems such as airframe structures, transparency systems, landing gear, tires, radome structures, and engine components. Our engineers have designed or redesigned, analyzed, tested, and qualified numerous parts now flying on military and commercial aircraft. We have experience with hypersonic vehicle structures, structural health monitoring, wind tunnel model development, automotive components, manufacturing equipment, hospital and medical equipment, bicycles, personal watercraft, military transport vehicles, shipping containers, military shelters, aircraft ground support equipment, and more—such as the Next-Gen all-aluminum extruded friction stir-welded 463L cargo pallet design shown above.
UDRI Structure and Component Characterization researchers help customers design and build products that simultaneously satisfy performance, durability, and cost criteria. We implement evaluation methods and obtain test results to improve and validate client designs. In addition to performing customer-specified tests, we also develop and fabricate specialized equipment that quantifies key product characteristics, and we demonstrate quality assurance for test methods, conditions, and measurements. Our quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015.
Our expert engineers and technicians are experienced in applying technology to solve problems in customer-specific situations. We typically utilize an integrated approach that encompasses multiple disciplines in collaboration with the customer or other researchers across UDRI.
UDRI evaluates new and current materials and structures in real world environments (or situations). We also develop unique test protocols and fabricate specialized test fixtures and systems to evaluate structure and component performance properly. This includes high frequency fatigue, fatigue of bonded components, fasteners, and material coupons, mechanical testing of coupons, and high rate testing of polymers, composites and metals. Nearly all of our work is to determine mechanical behavior as a function of strain rate, fatigue cycles, temperature, etc.
Our researchers evaluate structural materials using standard tests (tensile, compression, fatigue, bearing, shear) and under a variety of in-service conditions (high rate, environmentally assisted crack growth, multi-axis loading, tension-torsion, and fracture). Tested items range from test coupons to aircraft/engine/automotive components, compressors, wind turbines, and artificial limbs.