• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.376-381
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• 2010

The structural strength tests are usually performed to evaluate the structural strength and to verify the structural design and analysis of the vehicle structures. In this paper, the development of a compressed loading type apparatus to load distributed force over the surface of vehicle structure subjected to external loads was described. This apparatus is for structural materials which are easily to fail because of concentrated stresses. This apparatus can apply loads to specimens without any damage on the test specimen's surfaces by using flexible membrane and can be applicable to several kinds of surface profile of structures. The structural strength tests for the flat structure and curved structure with this apparatus were successfully performed, and the test results showed that this type of loading apparatus can be adequate to verify the structural integrity of the fragile structures.