Boeing stages 787 Dreamliner fuselage crash test
Greg Reed, Contributing Technical Editor -- Test & Measurement World, 10/8/2007 9:10:00 AM
Boeing reports that results from an August 23 crash test validated computer-generated structural analysis predictions for its 787 Dreamliner. This most recent test, the final in a series of three, once again confirmed the aircraft supplier's earlier computational analyses. The computer tool will now be used to demonstrate that the aircraft fuselage reacts similarly to aluminum airplanes during a survivable crash scenario.
Boeing conducted the test as a result of a Special Condition published on the Federal Register requirement by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that new composite-based airplane structures demonstrate crash test data that equal those for aluminum airplane structures. The Dreamliner reportedly is the first commercial airplane to incorporate carbon fiber-reinforced plastics in its fuselage and wings instead of aluminum. Although the carbon fibers test lighter and sturdier than aluminum, the material is more brittle and less shock absorbent, requiring special design considerations.
In the crash test conducted at Boeing's Apache helicopter manufacturing plant in Mesa, AZ, FAA technicians observed as a 10-ft fuselage section was dropped from a 15-ft height. Although not releasing detailed test results, Boeing says the carbon-fiber composite material performed according to computer modeling predictions and thus the company will continue to use its computational analysis to test various crash scenarios.
Commenting on the test, Boeing spokesperson Loretta Gunter said, "The certification process is long and robust. We are on the path to demonstrating the performance on the 787."
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