eVTOLs, or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, are a new category of aircraft that are being developed for urban air mobility. Because these aircraft will be flying over urban areas and potentially transporting passengers, their crashworthiness is of utmost importance.
One critical aspect of crashworthiness design for eVTOLs is the landing gear. The landing gear should be designed to absorb the energy of impact in the event of a crash, protecting the passengers and the airframe. Additionally, the landing gear should be able to withstand the forces of landing and takeoff, as well as any hard landings or turbulence.
The airframe itself must also be designed to be crashworthy. It should be able to absorb the energy of impact and protect the passengers inside. The airframe should also be designed to minimize the risk of fire or explosion in the event of a crash.
The materials used in the construction of eVTOLs can also affect their crashworthiness. Lightweight materials such as composites can help reduce the weight of the aircraft, increasing its efficiency and range. However, these materials may have lower strength and impact resistance than traditional metals, so careful design and testing is necessary to ensure that the eVTOL is crashworthy.
Crashworthiness simulations can be used to test the design of eVTOL landing gear and airframes. These simulations can help engineers identify weaknesses in the design and make improvements to enhance crashworthiness. Additionally, full-scale crash tests may be necessary to validate the simulation results and ensure that the eVTOL is safe for passengers and other people on the ground.
