The objective

The assessment of braking system performance is often dependent on the visual inspection of Flight Test data plots by an experienced engineer. This approach, although providing valuable insight, is reliant on an individual’s opinion.

The assessment of braking control system behaviour is not restricted to Flight Test assessment. Airbus often uses simulation platforms (in various configurations) for a quick, cost effective way of assessing the impact on system performance due to a design change. The presence of a runway profile in these simulations that are extracted directly from runway conditions during flight tests improves the potential for a valid simulation and the recreation of critical scenarios observed in flight tests.

"The experience at Airbus UK has been extremely valuable for David. He has been able to use some of the techniques learned as part of his PhD and see them applied in an industrial context. He was fortunate to have an able and enthusiastic industrial supervisor - probably a key factor in the success of the project. The industrial mathematics internship is an excellent scheme," said academic supervisor Roy Bradley, Glasgow Caledonian University.

The approach

The intern has previous experience in the field of wavelet analysis, a technique used to extract ramp profiles from test data that appears to be erratic with discontinuous features. This approach is ideal for the analysis of the flight test data profile. Each wavelet provides information in frequency and depth of the event under study enabling quantitative descriptions of the system.

The friction-slip information is used to provide relationships for the calculation of parameters used by the simulation platforms for determining the wheel/runway dynamics. The approach used here is to fit the friction-slip data to the Pacejka formula.

"The internship project has given me the opportunity to apply techniques and skills developed through my PhD in practical situations for a leading Aerospace company. The landing gear and braking group at Airbus have been an excellent team to work with and have been central to the success of the project. My industrial supervisor gave me the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of tasks and has been enthusiastic about using my techniques in a formal manner in assessing braking performance. I consider myself privileged to have worked with such an excellent team and supervisor, and look forward to working further with this group in the future. I would recommend a PhD Internship to a student as an excellent opportunity to make contacts and gain experience in their chosen field," said intern David Reid, Glasgow Caledonian University.