Aircraft Beam Structural Test (ABST) Fixture

---

 The ABST Fixture is the result of cooperative research between the FAA and Boeing to investigate the safety and structural integrity issues of bonded repair technology through test and analysis. The full system assembly and integration of the mechanical test fixture, the hydraulic system, and the control and data-acquisition (DAQ) system was accomplished by Diakon Solutions. The ABST fixture is currently being used to support a multi-year, multi-phased research program assessing bonded repairs to composite panels representative of a transport airplane wing structure. Diakon Solutions initial baseline testing of this program characterized the material response of composite panels in the unnotched pristine and open hole configurations under constant moment loading. This baseline information provided verification of the test fixture loading and validation of analysis models, and an initial reference point for Non-Destructive Inspections (NDI) and structural health monitoring systems. Follow on phases of this program will support Bonded Repair Size Limit (BRSL) studies and methods used to predict the limit load residual strength for a failed scarfed repair in solid composite laminates and honeycomb panels.