Crash Simulation of Skin-Frame Structures using a Finite Element Code

A mathematical model for crash simulation of aircraft structures--built up from beams, stringers, and skin panels--is being developed in the form of a finite element, large displacement elastic-plastic computer code called DYCAST. As a preliminary exercise, the code was applied to simulate a low-speed forward impact of a skin-covered framework carrying large concentrations of nonstructural mass at its rear. This paper describes the main features of the code and the results of the simple preliminary simulation.