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Application of the finite element method to predict the crashworthy response of a metallic helicopter under floor structure onto water.

This work was recognised through the 2009 Derek Astridge Award in Aerospace Safety (IMechE), for widening professional and public awareness in the use of technology for aerospace safety. It arose from an EU FP6 project on development of simulation tools / design guidelines for safe helicopter structures, focussing on crashworthiness onto water and solid surfaces. The coupled Finite Element-Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (FE-SPH) approach and full-scale numerical prediction of helicopter impact onto water led to Cranfield coordinating EU project SMAES – Smart Aircraft in Emergency Situations (FP7-266172) on the development of improved simulation tools for emergency landing (ditching) of aircraft onto water.