Development and validation of a finite element model of a transport aircraft seat under part 25.562 dynamic test conditions

Abstract

Computer simulations are becoming a crash analysis method that will enable more effective, efficient and verifiable crashworthy aircraft design. Greater use of computer simulation is being employed to understand wide range of crashworthiness related areas. Efforts are also being made to reduce the certification testing cost of aircraft seats and improve the occupant safety through computer simulation techniques. The objective of this thesis were to generate a finite element model of a typical passenger aircraft seat with the explicit FE code LS-DYNA to validate the simulation model against test data, then to use it for parametric case studies. Additional emphasis was put on following the rules and regulations described in AC 20-146 for computer modeling techniques. Thesis report includes validation of finite element of a typical aircraft seat generated using the FE explicit code LS-DYNA. Full scale dynamic tests were conducted as per 14 CFR PART 25-562. Kinematic frames comparison and profile matching using Sprague and Geers method was used as a validation tools. The model was then used for a parametric study to investigate the response of the seat with different seat belt and cushion.