Validation of the FEM model of the Mi-24 tail boom and vertical stabilizer

The scope of this work was the validation process of the numerical model of the Mi-24 helicopter tail boom and vertical stabilizer. In order to obtain a detailed geometry of the actual structure the sophisticated reversed engineering techniques were used. The measurement was performed using two separate techniques: one based on digitalphotogrammetry and other based on a three dimensional laser scanning with ATOSIII scanner. The numerical model was created with use of the obtained geometry, available technical documentation and detailed inspection of the structure. The obtained FEM model was validated using strain measurements of the real structure during characteristic flight maneuvers. A system of foil strain gauges was installed on the tail boom in previously selected locations. Calibration process, using known loads, was performed in order to determine response of the measurement system. To enable a quick and reasonable comparison of results from the experiment and calculations a special element was introduced in the FEM model. Their task was to monitor local strains in places corresponding to those where the strain gauges were installed. Detailed analysis of results confirmed, that after some minor modifications, the developed finite element model represents the actual structure reasonably well. Particular attention was paid to the representation of the boundary conditions and how to implement loads, which can significantly affect the obtained results. The analysis carried through confirms, that the presented validation technique, based on strain measurements, allows verifying a complicated numerical model in a relative cheap, fast and reliable way.