Simulation of a birdstrike impact on aircraft canopy material

Abstract

The simulation of a birdstrike on a material used in aircraft canopies is performed using the ABAQUS finiteelement code. The results of the simulation are compared to the response of a test coupon struck by a rubber ball with properties that provide a load on the coupon comparable to a bird. The displacement-time history of the test coupon is recorded using a high-speed camera. The results of the impact test are compared to the finite-element results. One of the major tasks in developing the simulation was obtaining a load history to apply to the model. The impact load associated with a birdstrike is hydrodynamic, time dependent, and decreases exponentially from the centerline of the impact region. The velocity of impact indicates that material properties at high-strain rates would be required for the simulation. Published material properties at lower strain rates provided adequate information to demonstrate good correlation for the loads examined. Good correlation was achieved in comparing the centerline deflection time histories recorded in the impact test and obtained from the finite-element simulation.