Drop tower test results for the struts 3rd load line from SALIENT project

A drop tower testing facility located in CTAG was used to perform the test campaign. 3 samples of 3rd load line were available for testing. Specific fixation devices and guides were designed and manufactured to prevent the part from slipping and guarantee a parallel orientation with respect to the impactor. Given the bent shape of the component and the high energy absorption predicted during the simulation, it was decided to avoid a full collapse, that could damage the facilities in case of sliding of the part. Therefore, instead of the 8000 J needed for the full collapse, an objective of 4000 J of energy was specified. According to the simulation, it is enough to see the collapse mode of the first triggers, which will be enough to correlate with the model. The set-up to impact with such energy consisted of a 350 Kg mass flat impactor that was released at a calibrated height to reach 4,8 m/s of velocity. After the first crash result, where the collapse happened as expected, it was decided to increase the energy to reach 5000 J. To do so, the speed was adjusted to 5,35 m/s.