Overview
The BirdStrike project aimed to establish a validated bird strike analysis capability, which enables the SFWA partners to simulate bird impact on a CFRP leading edge for a NLF wing. This was achieved by setting up a combined program of test and analysis to determine the extent of damage and criteria to be applied to analyses of leading edge panels for NLF wings.
The main scientific and technical work comprised six main research objectives in agreement to the present Call for Proposals (CfP) topic:
- Analysis of bird strikes on flat and representative curved panels at various angles of impact, using an existing bird impact model that will be provided by the SFWA Partners.
- Design and analysis of a supporting frame for bird-strike impact tests on flat and representative curved panels.
- Manufacturing of an agreed number of flat and representative curved panels that include supporting stringers, sparcaps or other structural features.
- Completion of impact tests at various angles.
- Validation of analyses and numerical models.
- Delivery of a tool that can predict the extent of damage in a representative Composite LE geometry.
Funding
Results
Executive Summary:
The BirdStrike project aimed to develop a validated bird-strike numerical analysis tool, which would enable the Smart Fixed Wing Aircraft programme partners to simulate bird impact on a composite leading edge for a Natural Laminar Flow wing. This was achieved by setting up a combined program of numerical methodologies and models development and experimental tests to be used for numerical models validation. The main scientific and technical work performed in the frame of the project included:
- Development of a Finite Element numerical methodology based on the stacked-shell approach for the efficient simulation of bird-strike incidents on composite panels;
- Manufacturing of flat un- stiffened and stiffened composite panels that include supporting stringers, sparcaps or other structural features;
- Design and analysis of a supporting frame for bird-strike impact tests on composite panels;
- Bird-strike tests and NDI analysis on composite panels;
- Development of FE models of the un-stiffened and stiffened panels bird-strike tests;
- Validation of analyses and numerical models based on experimental results and measurements;
- Development of a numerical model to predict the extent of damage in a representative Composite LE geometry.