Blast response of a pressurized aircraft fuselage measured using high-speed image correlation

Abstract

As part of a project examining the blast response of a pressurized aircraft fuselage, high-speed digital image correlation was used to measure the change in surface strain and out-of-plane displacement during an explosive event. Two explosive charges were used for this test, one located in the aft cargo compartment and one located in the forward cargo compartment. Digital image correlation was used to monitor the charge in the aft compartment with the second charge in the forward compartment being detonated 100 ms after the first. Digital image correlation was able to monitor the change in out-of-plane displacement as a result of the high-temperature gas generated during the explosion. Strain measurements made during the explosion were used to calculate the Von Mises stresses and confirmed that the aluminum skin did not plastically deform. The second explosion in the forward baggage compartment did result in fracture of the fuselage skin and post-test analysis of the fracture surfaces showed that tensile stresses in the rivets likely led to failure.