CRASH SIMULATION OF SKIN-FRAME STRUCTURES USING A FINITE ELEMENT CODE

A mathematical model for crash simulation of aircraft structures -- built up from beams, stringers, and skin panels -- is being developed in the form of a finite element, large displacement elastic-plastic computer code called DYCAST. As a preliminary exercise, the code was applied to simulate a low-speed forward impact of a skin-covered framework carrying large concentrations of nonstructural mass at its rear. The computer-generated data from the mathematical crash simulation can be extremely valuable in providing physical insight into the structural behavior in the crash event. With this insight, the structural details can be more intelligently changed by the addition, deletion, or alteration of individual or groups of members, and the consequences of these design changes on the predicted crash behavior can be quickly seen. The mathematical model internally computes the variable interactive nonlinear stiffness characteristics for each component, which greatly reduces the engineering effort required for such studies.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Prepared for SAE Meeting, 29 March-1 April 1977.
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Authors:
  • Winter, R
  • Pifko, A B
  • Armen, H J
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 16 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft; Airframes; Crashes; Finite element method; Impact studies; Information processing; Mathematical models; Private aircraft; Safety factors; Simulation; Structural design; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Aircraft design
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Design; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00172716
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAE 770484 Preprint
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 14 1978 12:00AM