Crashworthiness and ditching behaviour of blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft design

Abstract

Over the last few decades, the fuel efficiency of aircrafts was mainly improved by the application of refined aerodynamics, new materials, structural optimization and enhanced engine performance. A further potential for a greener aircraft is seen in the unconventional blended-wing-body (BWB) design configuration due to its advanced aerodynamic design and its reduced weight. For the certification of novel aircraft configurations, the airworthiness authorities require proof of at least equivalent safety standards compared to the existing conventional transport aircraft. In this context, the BWB configuration has to demonstrate sufficient crashworthiness for emergency landing on rigid surface and on water. Since structural modifications for improved safety should be applied in the early conceptual design phase of an aircraft, explicit simulations have been performed with the objective to estimate the crash behaviour of the BWB configuration. Based on the simulation results, design principles are derived for improved crashworthiness and ditching behaviour for the BWB aircraft configuration.