Numerical-experimental assessment of a hybrid FE-MB model of an aircraft seat sled-test

This paper deals with the development of an established hybrid finite element multibody (FE-MB) model for the simulation of an experimental sled test of a single row of a double passenger seat placed in front of a fuselage bulkhead, by considering a single anthropomorphic Hybrid II 50th dummy arranged on one of the seat places. The numerical investigation has been carried out by focusing on the passenger passive safety. Specifically, the occupant injury assessment has been quantitatively monitored by means of the head injury criterion (HIC), which, based on the average value of the dummy head acceleration during a crash event, should not exceed, according to the standards, the value of 1000. Numerical results provided by the hybrid model have been compared with the experimental ones provided by the Geven S.p.A. company and with the results carried out by a full FE model. The hybrid model simulates with a good level of accuracy the experimental test and allows reducing significantly the computing time with respect to the full FE one.