Author(s)

JAVIER PAZ, JACOBO DÍAZ, LUIS ROMERA

Abstract

The following research studies and enhances the structures from a commercial aircraft fuselage section by implementing crushable energy absorbers as vertical struts. The previously-developed numerical simulation from the drop test of a Boeing 737-200 is used, both featuring and lacking the auxiliary fuel tank, with the latter offering a more harmful response. Five crushable absorbers were then added to the cargo compartment connecting the frames with the underfloor beams seeking the modification of the collapse mechanism of the aircraft and, consequently, a more progressive and safer behavior. The results obtained show a reduction of the acceleration peaks by over 50% when the absorbers are fitted in the section without a fuel tank. Moreover, the acceleration plots in the Eiband diagram also reveal a reduction of the passenger injury assessment from severe to moderate. An in-depth analysis of the energy values during the simulation shows an energy absorption of 25 kJ from the absorbers, as well as the increase of the plastic dissipation by the frames from 76 kJ to 104 kJ.

Keywords

crashworthiness enhancement, Eiband diagram, crushable energy absorbers