Multi-axial simulation of aircraft vibrations for the evaluation of passenger comfort

In this paper, a multi-axial vibration simulator and its utilization for the evaluation of comfort of passengers in an aircraft is described. The vibration simulator was previously used for the dynamic qualification of aerospace structures. The vibration simulator is able to simulate vibrations with frequencies up to 100 Hz into the direction of all six spatial degrees of freedom. In a first step, the approval for performing tests on humans had to be achieved. For this purpose, a safety system was developed and installed, which enables an immediate emergency shut-off and a smooth shut down of the vibration facility. Next, a control concept for the realization of simultaneous multi-axial vibrations was established and confirmed. It allows for the appropriate reproduction of measured or calculated multi-axial vibration sequences. In an exemplary test campaign with human test persons the applicability of the test facility for the investigation and physiological evaluation of passenger comfort was demonstrated.