Investigation of the Crash-Impact Characteristics of Advanced Airframe Structures.

Abstract

The purpose of this program was to investigate the crash-impact characteristics of advanced troop transport helicopter airframe structures constructed of composite materials. Currently available information was surveyed on the crash-impact behavior of composite materials, analytical tools for design of crashworthy airframe structures, and airframe structure crashworthiness design criteria. Information on the crash-impact behavior of composite materials was found to be limited. Automotive studies showed that by innovative design, composite materials could function efficiently as energy absorbers to reduce crash-impact loads. Other pertinent studies were found that are currently in progress at Bell Helicopter Textron, the NASA Langley Research Center and the U.S. Army's Research and Technology Laboratories and are summarized. Finally, effects of composite materials on the compliance of airframe structures with current Army crashworthiness requirements are discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1979
Accession Number
ADA075163

Entities

People

  • James D. Cronkhite
  • Robert Winter
  • Thomas J. Haas
  • Victor L. Berry

Organizations

  • Bell Flight

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Composite Materials
  • Computer Programs
  • Dynamic Tests
  • Engineers
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Fuselages
  • Laminates
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Mechanics
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Test Methods

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Hydraulic Engineering.
  • Instructional Design and Training Evaluation.