The work presented in this tutorial focuses on the application of explicit finite element analysis to predict impact damage caused by bird strikes. Bird strike is one of the most common examples of foreign object impact in air transport. With increasing air traffic density and changing migration routes of flocking birds, this type of impact remains a serious threat to aircraft safety. It must be considered during the certification phase of certain aircraft components.
Accurate simulation of bird strikes is challenging because of the complex physical phenomena involved. Correct modelling is essential to predict the structural response of the impacted surface.
This study employs the Abaqus hybrid modelling technique known as the Coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian (CEL) approach. This method allows simulation of fluid–structure interaction. In CEL, the structure is modelled using the traditional Lagrangian formulation, while the bird material is represented with the Eulerian formulation. The Eulerian finite element model is defined as a stationary cube filled with EC3D8R volume elements. These elements may be fully or partially occupied by material.
Bird strikes usually occur at high velocities. As a result, very high stresses are generated in the bird material. These stresses exceed the material’s strength, causing the bird to deform in a fluid-like manner. This behaviour makes it possible to apply hydrodynamic theory in the theoretical analysis of bird strikes.
Simulation schematics and results are shown below.
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