FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS SIMULATION OF AIRPORT APPROACH LIGHTING TOWERS

Analyses of the frangibility of airport approach lighting towers using both full-scale impact tests and computer simulation were performed to develop a better understanding of the buckling and failure mode of the tower when struck by a representative aircraft. This data was necessary for development of simplified requirements and test methods for design of frangible structures that minimize the impact hazard to aircraft. This paper describes the model developed to simulate the impact properties of the tower using the LS-DYNA finite element analysis software. Three different velocities, 50, 80, and 140 km/h, were used in combination with 2 different tower orientations to simulate impact at the apex and on the side of the triangular cross section tower. Results obtained by this simulation were compared to the experimental results from full-scale tests. In addition, the tower dynamic behavior was compared to the high-speed video imagery to confirm failure mode predictions.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07339445
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Zimcik, D G
  • Ensan, M N
  • Jenq, S T
  • Chao, M C
• Publication Date: 2004-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 805-811
• Serial:
  • Journal of Structural Engineering
  • Volume: 130
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0733-9445
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/loi/jsendh

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air transportation crashes; Airport control towers; Airport runways; Airports; Aviation safety; Crash risk forecasting; Crash tests; Finite element method; Lighting columns; Simulation
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Pavements; Research; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00973885
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 6 2004 12:00AM