DefinePK

Abstract

Flight data recorder (FDR) is an electronic device installed in the aircrafts for the purpose of investigation of the accidents. FDR is an assembly of both mechanical and electronic components. It is necessary to design the FDR with high strength and stiffness for both static and dynamic loads to avoid the failure when accidents or crash of the flights occur. Typically the parts of the FDR will manufactured by both metals and non-metals. The parts of the FDR are experienced by different types of loads like harmonic, random, and shock vibration loads. High deformations and stresses will be developed during these loads and internal collisions of parts can take place and then leads to individual part or assembly failure. So it is very important to analyze the response of the FDR subjected to these loads. In the present work, FDR is analyzed under random vibration loads in the form of base acceleration in X, Y and Z directions by using finite element simulation software Ansys Workbench. The parts and assembly are modeled in Ansys workbench. The response of the structure is analyzed for with and without rib FDR cases. Later the best case is analyzed with composite materials. Carbon epoxy and E-glass epoxy 3-D composite materials are chosen to perform the analysis. Proper boundary conditions, mesh and contacts between parts are assigned to the FDR assembly. It is observed that FDR shown better stiffness with ribs for all directional random vibration loads than without ribs. The deformations in FDR with ribs and without ribs are found to be within the limits of clearance available. Hence there is no risk of collision between the parts. It is observed that there is 28.26% of weight reduction in carbon epoxy composite FDR compared to the typical FDR with ribs.