Finite Element Analysis Simulation of Airport Approach Lighting Towers
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 130, Issue 5
Abstract
Analysis of the frangibility of airport approach lighting towers using both full-scale impact tests and computer simulation were performed to develop a better understanding of the buckling and failure mode of the tower when struck by a representative aircraft. These data were necessary for the development of simplified requirements and test methods for the design of frangible structures that minimize the impact hazard to aircraft. This paper describes the model developed to simulate the impact properties of the tower using the LS-DYNA finite element analysis software. Three different velocities, 50, 80, and 140 km/h were used in combination with two different orientations of the tower to simulate impact at the apex and on the side of the triangular cross section tower. The results obtained using this simulation were compared to the experimental results from full-scale tests. In addition, the tower dynamic behavior was compared to the high-speed video imagery to confirm failure mode predictions.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 130 • Issue 5 • May 2004
Pages: 805 - 811
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 2, 2002
Accepted: Jun 2, 2003
Published online: Apr 15, 2004
Published in print: May 2004
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