Modelling Impact Damage on Aircraft Structures (MIDAS)

Abstract

In this thesis, a methodology is presented to predict impact damage on next-generation (composite) aircraft based on maintenance data of in-service (metal) aircraft. To achieve this conversion, an analytical model is developed to Model Impact Damage on Aircraft Structures (MIDAS) for composite (-C ) and metal (-M ) aircraft. The model characterizes impact threats based on damage dimensions in two steps. First, for a given specific threat an impact event is approximated, and the corresponding damage (i.e. the permanent dent) is estimated. Second, the analytical model is reverse engineered to deduce the impact threat characteristics from the permanent damage. MIDAS-M implements a new transition region between the local and global deformation modes based on penetration limits, while composite variant (MIDAS-C) provides a novel approach for the permanent indentation in the post fiber breakage region.