Blast response of metal composite laminate fuselage structures using finite element modelling

The aircraft fuselage is a complex structure with relatively low margins of safety, operating in a highly demanding dynamic environment. In the present work, the loading scenario of an on board explosion is investigated. The main scope is to assess the damage induced on an operating fuselage by an explosive charge. Finite element models of a typical commercial fuselage were generated for two material configurations, aluminium and GLARE. The simulation was performed in three stages; initialization phase, where the flight loads are applied on the structure, the blast phase and the final phase where the flight loads are applied on the damaged structure. Simulations were performed for different charge locations for both material configurations. The extent and location of damage allowed the generation of a vulnerability index.