Abstract: A testing fixture for investigating the effects of pressure loadings on marine hull and other plate panels in a testing machine includes a liquid-filled bladder adapted to be received on the machine platen, a fixture supported by the machine frame incorporating edge movement restraint members for receiving the panel to be tested and contacting it around its perimetrical edge on both sides, and a measuring element supported by the fixture for measuring the deflection of the panel as the bladder is moved with the platen and pliantly conforms to the surface of one side of the panel to apply a distributed load imposing a bend in the panel inboard of its restrained edges in two dimensions along two axes simultaneously over a substantial area of its surface.

Abstract: Hollow wind turbine blades and the like comprising abutting blade sections, with nose forming strips and converging walls forming a tail section connecting with the ends of the nose forming strips, and a method of fabricating them comprising machining the facial end walls of the abutting blade sections to provide a precise alignment thereof providing a flush joint when the sections are butted together, adhesively bonding the blade sections in abutting relation and permitting the bond to cure, cutting communicating splice receiving slots in the abutting nose forming strips, and inserting adhesively bonding splice inserts which fit the slots in place in the slots.

Abstract: A process for providing attaching ends projecting from a wood-resin composite veneer body such as the end of an elongate, hollow windmill blade, and wherein the attaching ends are provided on studs which are resin bonded in position in elongate enlarged openings formed in the ends of the bodies and have threaded ends or the like projecting therefrom. The process involves the preforming or precasting of resin sleeves of predetermined thickness around the plug ends of the studs to leave the attaching ends projecting therefrom, prior to inserting of the studs into the enlarged openings provided in the composite body. Curing of the sleeves thus occurs remotely from the wood-resin body.