Bird strike on aircraft radome: Dynamic characterisation of quartz fibre composite sandwich for accurate, predictive impact simulations

Abstract

This study assesses the bird strike resistance of the satellite communication (SatCom) radome of a medium altitude, long endurance (MALE) remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS), which is designed as a lightweight sandwich structure with thin quartz fibre composite skins and a cellular honeycomb core. In order to perform accurate, predictive numerical bird strike simulations, the building block approach was applied, involving extensive experimental characterisation and model validation of the materials and structures from simple coupon level up to full-scale radome level. Coupon tests of the quartz fibre composite skin material under high-rate dynamic loading revealed significant strain rate effects, which needed to be taken into account in the simulation model in order to predict the structural response under high-velocity bird strike loading. In summary, this work presents a systematic and detailed approach for obtaining validated modelling methods for high-velocity impact analyses, which could be used efficiently for various design and parameter studies during the development of the SatCom radome.

Ballistic gelatin Lagrange Mooney-Rivlin material model as a substitute of bird in finite element bird strike case studies

“…However, high costs involved in experiments and complex setups with lengthy preparation time often challenge the development of aircraft structural parts. Moreover, impacted structures during experiments become severely damaged and further reuse is not practicable (Plassard et al, 2015;Heimbs et al, 2018;Orlando et al, 2017).Therefore, commercial computer simulation codes (Abaqus, Ansys, LS-Dyna, MSC Dytran, etc.) are regularly used as alternatives of bird-strike experiments for early-stage research and development of various structural parts, materials, joints, etc.…”

Experimental investigation on mechanical behaviors of composite sandwich panels with a hybrid facesheet

“…With the development of high‐speed aircrafts and missiles, quartz fiber composite sandwich panels are increasingly adopted due to their excellent thermal, mechanical properties [ 26,27 ] and extremely low permittivity. [ 28 ] The flatwise compressive strength and in‐plane shearing strength of quartz fiber composite sandwich panel were studied experimentally with the standard test methods.…”

“…[24] Four-point bending tests were carried out to study the core to skin weight ratio on the bending stiffness and strength of sandwich panel specimens with GFRP skins and Nomex ® honeycomb core. [25] With the development of high-speed aircrafts and missiles, quartz fiber composite sandwich panels are increasingly adopted due to their excellent thermal, mechanical properties [26,27] and extremely low permittivity. [28] The flatwise compressive strength and in-plane shearing strength of quartz fiber composite sandwich panel were studied experimentally with the standard test methods.…”