Response Determination Of Propeller To Bird Strike Using High Speed Photography

Abstract

Static bench type impact tests of 4.0 and 1.5 pound artificial birds striking the leading edge of composite propeller blades are conducted to determine the damage response of the blades to bird strike.The artificial birds (cylindrical in shape) are launched at velocities up to 900 ft /sec (275 m /sec) to demonstrate that composite construction propeller blades will pass the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bird strike requirements. A high speed framing camera is used to determine the impact velocity of the birds, maximum tip deflections, bird /blade contact time, and the elapsed time required to achieve maximum deflection.