Computer Simulation Of An F-4 PhantomCrashing Into A Reinforced Concrete Wall

This paper presents a numerical simulation of an aircraft crashing into a reinforced concrete wall by using a general-purpose hydrocode AUTODYN ® . Computational results are compared with the experimental ones obtained by a full-scale aircraft impact test conducted at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, USA, in 1988. An actual F-4 Phantom jetfighter was used in the test. The geometry of the finite element model of the aircraft is adjusted to fit to the data given in the test report and also available publicly. Two engines, a fuel tank, and water to simulate the fuel weight are considered in the numerical model. The numerical results show good agreements with the experimental ones as to an impact force, damage to the wall and the crushing behaviour of the aircraft.