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Aircraft and Helicopter Crashworthiness: Design and Simulation

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Crashworthiness of Transportation Systems: Structural Impact and Occupant Protection

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSE,volume 332))

Abstract

In aeronautics, first structural design requirements for better crash protection were established for military helicopters and light fixed-wing aircraft. Also, for all other aircraft categories further progress has been initiated to improve crash survivability in potentially survivable impact scenarios. Crash resistance covers the energy absorbing (EA) capability of crushing structural parts to limit decelerative forces to the occupants, the demand to provide a protective shell around the occupants, and to minimize the riscs in the occupant environment and in the post crash regime. Designing for aircraft crash resistance: System design aspects including the airframe, the landing gear, seats and overhead mass retention are outlined. However, design aspects will be focused in more detail on the airframe and airframe substructures. The use of high performance composite materials needs specific design philosophy and concepts due to the brittle nature but high EA capability of composites. Verified design concepts of highly efficient EA and load bearing composite airframe components will be demonstrated. Analytical methods and simulation tools: The demonstrated crash analysis tools will include a hybrid simulation technique (KRASH) and a crash code based on Finite Element Analysis (FEA), i.e. PAM-CRASH. Hybrid modelling and simulation case studies will include full scale composite airframes (BK 117 composite airframe and full-scale carbon composite Lear Fan 2100). FEA crash code case studies will be focused on metal and composite airframe sections (transport aircraft and Lear Fan 2100 section). The simulation studies are correlated with crash test data. Specific emphasis will be addressed to the used and modified material models and calibration techniques of the models.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. German Aerospace Research Establishment (DLR), Institute of Structures and Design, Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany

    C. M. Kindervater

Authors
  1. C. M. Kindervater
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Engenharia Mecânica, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal

    Jorge A. C. Ambrósio , Manuel F. O. Seabra Pereira  & Fernando Pina da Silva ,  & 

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© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Kindervater, C.M. (1997). Aircraft and Helicopter Crashworthiness: Design and Simulation. In: Ambrósio, J.A.C., Pereira, M.F.O.S., da Silva, F.P. (eds) Crashworthiness of Transportation Systems: Structural Impact and Occupant Protection. NATO ASI Series, vol 332. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5796-4_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5796-4_20

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6447-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-5796-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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