Impact studies on rigid and compliant targets including the first simulation model of the biofidelic bird

Kurzfassung

The conference contribution discusses the background for impact testing by artificial bird models. These models aim on representative and repetitive results in the impact behaviour compared to real birds. When accomplished, artificial birds can replace real bird testing and hence, avoid animal tests. The study incorporates two test setups to assess the impact behaviour of birds. A rigid setup is applied to record the transmitted impact force. The second setup is a compliant generic leading edge to be deformed plastically. Under impact this structure with a hemispherical nose radius is indented without rupture. Both, the test setups and the artificial birds are modelled in numerical simulations. There are two aspects of the comparison discussed. First, the regular shaped DLR reinforced artificial bird (DLRRAB) and CTS Alpha biofidelic artificial bird are compared against the real bird reference. Second, these two physical substitutes are assessed against their numerical counterparts. This comprises the first numerical model of the biofidelic artificial bird. Throughout the study, a soft body weight of 1.8 kg (4 lbs) was used. The rigid target assessment was using a projectile velocity of 90 m/s (175 kts) impacting normally. The evaluation with compliant leading edges was performed at 135 m/s (262 kts).