CRAHVI D4.3.7 and D 4.4.4.b: Simulation results and data of A321 full-scale FE model for ditching including cabin load database

Abstract

In the present report the results of ditching simulations of an Airbus A321 using the explicit FE-code PAM-CRASH (PAM-SHOCK) are described. In addition, the data structure of the EXCEL spreadsheet with the cabin load database is explained together with some representative results. Based on the FE meshes of the Airbus A321 aircraft and the corresponding water basin models presented in D.4.2.10 [2] several ditching simulations have been performed to assess different simulation methodologies in the explicit FE code PAM-CRASH [1] incl. the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamic (SPH-) Method. After these simulations with preliminary impact conditions a final simulation run with initial conditions agreed at a Task 4 meeting in April 2003 has been performed and the displacements and accelerations at several locations within 5 different aircraft sections have been analysed. Due to computational constraints a rigid model of the A321 has been used in this final simulation to achieve a simulation time of 1680 ms. In general, this final simulation shows that the SPH method leads to very realistic results with respect to the behaviour of the aircraft and the splashing of the water. The acceleration levels generated within the cabin seem to be realistic, too.