As a result, it is not possible to carry out the design and analysis of composite structures without some physical testing. FAC Technology has access to a suite of test rigs which enables us to accurately perform static and dynamic tests. In addition, we use a range of sensors, control systems, and software to capture vastly more information then would be obtained from standard material characterisation tests. In particular we use high resolution (and occasionally ultra-high speed) cameras in conjunction with a digital image correlation platform (developed and programmed in-house) to gain an insight into the root mechanisms of where and why composite materials and structures fail.
The results from these tests are then fed back into the design process to identify any discrepancies between predicted and experimental data.