Crashworthiness by analysis: verifying FEA modeling capabilities by accident reconstruction

Abstract

A finite element (FE) model of a generic single-aisle narrow body transport aircraft was used for computational crash analysis to compare simulated deformations to those observed in the Turkish Airline Flight 1951 crash in Amsterdam in 2009. The simulation results predicted critical damage and demonstrated parameters such as survivable volume and egress paths as evidenced in the actual crash. Validated FE models expand the scope of research and provide clarity of concepts which can subsequently be translated into relevant safety requirements. The analytical tools minimize research expenses when compared to physical testing, by allowing several impact conditions to be studied that would otherwise be prohibitively costly and time consuming, in particular for large scale structures.