5.1 Analysis of Test Results
Use the guidance provided in Part One, paragraphs 5.14 and 5.17, and Part One, Annex A, Task 406 to evaluate the test results.
5.2 Analysis of Failures
Analyze in detail any failure of a test item to meet the requirements of the materiel specifications. If the test item failed the test, consider the following categories during analysis of results of this Method:
- a. Stress. If a failure occurred, what the immediate physical mechanism of failure may have been, e.g., fatigue, short circuit by particulate, etc.
- b. Loading mechanism. Determine the physical loading mechanism that led to failure and the total time or number of cycles to failure (e. g., structural dynamic resonant modes, mode shapes, stress distribution; static deformation due to temperature distribution, incursion of moisture, etc.).
- c. Test Compliance. Evaluate test performance, including any test plan redlines/deviations; e.g., out of tolerance test conditions, supporting equipment anomalies, facility issues, test interruptions, power interruptions/spikes.
- d. Source. Failures may be induced by a specific environmental stress or a combination of environmental stresses and/or the dynamic of changing stresses. The failures may result from design flaws, faulty parts, workmanship, manufacturing process, etc. The failure may exhibit as a hard failure, intermittent failure, etc. Depending on the nature of the failure, a failure analysis/root cause analysis may be required to determine the ultimate cause and corrective action prior to resumption of testing.
- e. Criticality. Does the failure impact mission and/or flight criticality?