A systematic BHEC and fractographic study has been conducted by inspecting several hundred fastener holes in ex-service F/A-18 aircraft bulkheads, following fatigue testing. The results demonstrate that measurement of the relative phase of the eddy-current response provides additional information which can assist in discrimination between genuine cracks and mechanical damage.

The mechanical integrity of the propellant bed is a key factor in safe and consistent gun performance. A low strain-rate bed compression test was developed, primarily for use at low temperatures and, in conjunction with the time-temperature superposition principle, to simulate the high strain rates that exist in the gun chamber during ignition.

Recently, a novel tilted-wire' scatterer model has been developed that can provide an accurate and sparse representation of radar returns from such objects. Following a literature review on compressed sensing algorithms, covering both greedy and lp minimisation methods (0 < p ≤ 1), the report focuses on a comparative study of various greedy pursuit algorithms, using both simulated and real radar data, with a particular emphasis on the use of the tilted-wire scatterer model.

An investigation into the use of the Instron ElectroPuls E3000 for the purpose of fatigue crack growth rate testing of structural materials was conducted.

Mussel growth in the internal sea water systems of Navy vessels can result in significant performance issues and biosecurity concerns for affected vessels. The study examined the effectiveness of two commercially available QAC disinfectants formulations,

DSTO has significant full-scale, component and coupon test facilities that it uses to assess RAAF airframes. The efficient and accurate modelling of crack growth is a necessary capability for translating the test outputs into relevant life results for structural integrity management purposes. Effective Block Approach, or EBA, a characteristic block type modelling approach may offer an alternate path for conducting life assessments. This is anticipated to be particularly useful for full-scale test interpretation where the applied loading usually consists of repeating spectrum blocks.

This report outlines experimental testing of a generic submarine model in its low speed wind tunnel, aimed at gathering steady-state aerodynamic force and moment data, and to investigate the flow-field characteristics on and around the bare-hull.