Impact Damage in Sandwich Composite Structures From Gas Gun Tests

Abstract

The paper studies the High Velocity Impact (HVI) response of aircraft structures by means of gas gun impact tests and post-test NDE evaluation. The scope of the activity comprises structural components such as stringer stiffened composite panels and a range of composite sandwich structures, with projectiles such as ice, synthetic birds, runway debris and tyre/rim debris. The tests and simulations are used to support concept design, and certification phases of new aircraft structures based on carbon fibre composites. To perform these tests DLR has installed and commissioned a new gas gun test facility comprising three different barrels having calibres of 200mm, 60mm, and 32/25mm. The guns fire into a steel target chamber where the test structures are mounted. Impact damage to structures is characterised by a number of NDE techniques, including ultrasonic C-scan, lock-in thermography, X-ray and computer tomography (CT).