Finite element modeling of the RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter Tailcone section using PATRAN and DYTRAN

摘要

The United States Army contracted Boeing-Sikorsky to develop the RAH-66 Comanche, a new, armed reconnaissance helicopter that features stealth technology designed to improve survivability when operating in hostile environments. Ballistic testing is required on any new technology, including the Comanche, prior to fielding. This thesis uses computer programs called PATRAN and DYTRAN from MSC Software Corporation to build a model and simulate the effects of an explosive round detonating in the Comanche tailcone section. This thesis describes in great detail the process of creating and modifying the model in PATRAN to most accurately depict the Comanche tailcone section, and of creating the input decks for DYTRAN to run the analysis. A test case involving an explosion with a high amount of explosive energy, or specific internal energy (SIE) was simulated. From this test, several results are shown to display the capabilities of DYTRAN. These results, when compared with live fire data, can be used to validate the computer-based simulation in order to reduce the requirements of expensive live fire testing.