Energy absorption structures design of civil aircraft to improve crashworthiness

To improve the crashworthiness of civil aircraft, the design concept of energy absorption structure for civil aircraft is investigated. Two typical different design principles could be identified. The first category includes Helicopter and Light fixed-wing Aircraft (HLA), and Transport, Mid-size and Commuter type Aircraft (TMCA) are classified into the second group. Frame, strut and bottom structure are the three kinds of energy absorption structure for TMCA. The strut layout of conventional civil aircraft is studied and some energy absorption devices are adopted. High efficiency energy absorption structures such as the foam and sine-wave beam are employed as the bottom structure for both of HLA and LMCA. The finite element method is used to analyse and design energy absorption structure in aircraft crashworthiness problem. Results show that the crashworthiness of civil aircraft could be largely improved by using proper strut layout and excellent energy absorption device. The stiffness combination of frame and strut should be considered to get better global aircraft deformation. Supporting platform and failure model are the two core problems of bottom energy absorption structure design. Foam and sine-wave beam under the lifted frame could improve the crashworthiness of civil aircraft.