Bird strike shielding materials: development of a high velocity impact test platform

Commercial aircraft structures are exposed to bird strike events causing serious damages. Certification is thus required by regulation organizations and tests are performed using gas guns and birds of mass 1,8kg (JAR 25.631) (or 3,6kg for tail parts), which are launched at approximately 175m/s. In the design phase, modelling and simulation are rather used to assess and optimize the response of materials and structures under bird strike. However, it is difficult to correlate simulations with tests because of the very limited availability of test platforms for characterization and qualification from the smallest coupons to shielded structural component. The purpose of our work is to set up a test platform in close partnership with Institut Clement Ader (ICA), equipped with advanced metrology and combined with a virtual testing approach for correlation of tests and simulations up to 1m scale shielding concepts. New bird strike shielding materials could then be further developed at a lower cost in reduced time frames. Nonetheless the platform and virtual testing approach could be derived to other high velocity impacts (hail, engine debris, tire debris).