A Systematic Approach Towards Integrated Safety Modelling for Aerospace Applications – Preliminary Results on Rigid Seat Simulations

In the aviation sector, the historically evolved crashworthiness requirements prescribe seat certification separately from the airframe structure. Based on historical test and accident data the airframe crash behaviour is presumed in terms of crash pulses, which are applied to the seat structure for seat certification (e.g. EASA CS-23/25.562). Certification authorities have recently started to change the regulations from a prescriptive to a performance-based certification, considering the crash performance with the seats integrated in the airframe structure (EASA CS-23 Amendment 5). With this, occupant safety and structural crashworthiness is combined to an integrated safety approach. Due to the high cost of full-scale testing in the aviation sector, extensive use of simulation is of interest. Modelling methods are continuously being developed for crash loading conditions relevant to aerospace, which significantly differ from automotive ones. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) Institute of Structures and Design has extensive experience in developing simulation methods for aircraft crash analysis. In an effort to develop an integrated safety modelling approach for aviation, a research initiative was launched to incorporate advanced passenger safety considerations.