Computational and experimental study of bird failure at different speeds of collision with a flexible plate

Abstract

This article presents an experimental and computational study of bird collision with a flexible plate at different impact speeds. Tests were carried out with the aid of a pneumatic gun. The bird mass in the study was about 300 g, and the speed range was 49-75 m/s. The actual mechanical properties of the plate were determined with tensile tests of flat specimen-witness. A video recording and strain gauging were performed during the strike. Some frames of high speed video recording for the highest bird’s velocity c = 75 m/s are presented in the article to demonstrate the process of bird rupturing. Different models of the bird material were examined to compare computational and measured strains.