Evaluation of Occupant Response in Component and Full-Scale Aircraft Crash Testing and Simulation

In this study, the capability of component fuselage testing and finite-element models (FEMs) to predict occupant injury risk in a full-scale aircraft crash test was evaluated. Component and full-scale crash tests of a Fokker-F28 aircraft were performed in conjunction with representative FEM simulations. Lumbar spine injury risk calculated through anthropomorphic test device (ATD) outputs measured in the full-scale test was compared with predictions made by component testing and simulation. A quantitative assessment of FEM prediction accuracy was made using the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Report (TR) 16250 curve comparison methodology. Lumbar load injury risk measured in the full-scale test configuration was found to be significantly higher than the component tests performed. The FEM was found to provide a closer prediction of occupant injury risk than component testing but exhibited limitations in the multi-axis load environment. This work will help inform the application of component testing and FEM simulation when used to evaluate aircraft crashworthiness.