Crash concepts for CFRP transport aircraft – comparison of the traditional bend frame concept versus the developments in a tension absorbers concept

Abstract

Due to their inherently brittle behaviour, carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) structures demand for a specific design to achieve appropriate crash energy absorption compared to classical metallic fuselage designs. In this paper, experimental as well as numerical studies on two different crashworthy designs are presented. The first concept aims to absorb the crash energy by crushing of CFRP components below a reinforced cargo cross beam in combination with further energy absorbing devices in the lower side shell. The feasibility of this concept was in the meantime proven by tests at the coupon and structural element level. An alternative crash concept making use of energy absorption in so-called tension absorbers in the passenger and cargo floor structure was developed and assessed with the focus on a reduction of structural mass in combination with improved concept robustness. This paper provides a summary of the performed research work and discusses the context of the concept development. Details on the individual research tasks can be found in further publications which are given in the references.