Experimental Investigation of the Crash-worthiness of Scaled Composite Sailplane Fuselages

Authors

  • R. John Hansman, Jr. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA USA
  • Edward Crawley Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA USA
  • Karl-Peter Kämpf Germany

Keywords:

Structures, Materials, Design, Safety

Abstract

Studies were conducted to improve the crash dynamics and energy absorption of composite sailplane fuselages in a nose down impact resulting from stall/spin accidents. Quasistatic and dynamic tests were conducted on quarter scale structurally similar composite models. The quasistatic tests were found to replicate fully, the loads and failure modes observed in the dynamic tests. Fiber materials and cockpit design techniques were experimentally examined. Energy absorption was improved by over 280% over a typical fiberglass reference fuselage by the use of a combination of fiberglass and polyethylene fiber materials, the extension of the pilot's seatpan as a structural member and the reinforcement of the canopy sill.

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Issue

Vol. 30 No. 1-2 (2006)

Section

Articles

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