Date of Award

12-1991

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Aerospace Engineering

Department

Graduate Studies

Committee Chair

David Kim

Committee Member

James Ladesic

Committee Member

Frank J. Radosta

Abstract

Accident investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the passenger seat and restraint systems found in today's aircraft used by the airlines are inadequate to protect the occupant in airplane crashes. Computer models were developed of the seat-track assembly and finite element analyses were performed subjected to crash dynamic loadings. The seat-track interface was modeled with gap elements to accurately model the geometric interaction between the track and seat-track fittings. Results showed large deformations and stresses above yielding in both the seat and track when subjected to accelerations prescribed for certification under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

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