ANALYSIS OF CRASH-RESISTANT FUEL SYSTEMS AND AIRFRAME STRUCTURE INTERACTION IN A CRASH ENVIRONMENT

An analytical methodology for predicting Crash-Resistant Fuel Systems (CRFS) and airframe structure interaction in a crash environment is presented. The mathematical algorithms used in the methodology including the formulation of equations of motion and numerical integration, special material models, and fluid-structure contact modeling are described in detail. Applications of this methodology to commonly used rotorcraft fuel system configurations are presented. The analysis results are compared with the available test results. The nonlinear response characteristics of the systems are identified and their significance to the design and analysis of airframe structures and CRFS is discussed.