Determination of the loading types responsible for the deformed shape of an aircraft cockpit

Abstract

During the last decade, some studies have been done, concerning the evaluation of aeronautical components in terms of the load conditions applied to cockpit geometries. The present study aims to determine the loading types which could be responsible for the deformed shape of an aircraft cockpit after an accident. Experimental tests were carried out in order to obtain the deformed geometries of the different structural supporting components. Using CAD software (CATIA and SOLIDWORKS) together with a 3D scanner, a 3D modelation was obtained, from an undeformed aircraft cockpit. Due to the complexity of the shape of the cockpit, a finite element approach was adopted and the components were modeled and analysed for a series of representative load cases in order to find out the most likely loading compatible with a deformed shape of the cockpit’s structure. The 3D model of the cockpit, obtained with the CAD software, was analysed with the finite element programs ABAQUS and ANSYS. The result and outcomes are presented herein. A experimental specimen was modeled and analysed by FE program in order to validate the results obtained for the cockpit modelation. In addition some guidance is given on the verification of the loading which could be responsible for the deformed shape of an aircraft cockpit.