Comparison of experimental rotor damping data-reduction techniques

The ability of existing data reduction techniques to determine frequency and damping from transient time-history records was evaluated. Analog data records representative of small-scale helicopter aeroelastic stability tests were analyzed. The data records were selected to provide information on the accuracy of reduced frequency and decay coefficients as a function of modal damping level, modal frequency, number of modes present in the time history record, proximity to other modes with different frequencies, steady offset in time history, and signal-to-noise ratio. The study utilized the results from each of the major U.S. helicopter manufacturers, the U.S. Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate, and NASA Ames Research Center using their inhouse data reduction and analysis techniques. Consequently, the accuracy of different data analysis techniques and the manner in which they were implemented were also evaluated. It was found that modal frequencies can be accurately determined even in the presence of significant random and periodic noise. Identified decay coefficients do, however, show considerable variation, particularly for highly damped modes. The manner in which the data are reduced and the role of the data analyst was shown to be important. Although several different damping determination methods were used, no clear trends were evident for the observed differences between the individual analysis techniques. It is concluded that the data reduction of modal-damping characteristics from transient time histories results in a range of damping values.