NASA has crash-tested a version of an eVTOL fuselage and the crumpled result will provide plenty of data on some NASA innovations included in the mock-up. The composite structure was hoisted about 30 feet in the air and sent on an inclined trajectory to the concrete below in a simulation of an emergency landing by an eVTOL. The test article was built by NASA and was not a copy of any of the dozens of eVTOLs now under development. There were six crash test dummies aboard and the roof was loaded up with weight to simulate wings and engines. The structure did not hold up well.
I think this is about creating a generalizable computational model for these types of structures, which would then be tailored for the specific geometry of each eVTOL design. As stated in the article the specific structure here is not the same as any under development. Important was what was learned from this test- that the model did not accurately predict the structural collapse that was seen- this will allow for refinement of the model moving forward.
To me, this test isn’t about developing the perfect structure, but creating a computational tool to assist future and ongoing development of these structures, as well as to possibly facilitate certification of eVTOLs in the future.
“roof was loaded up with weight to simulate wings and engines”
I’m confused, why is there ‘engines’ instead of ‘motors’ on an "e"VTOL?
The test has very little purpose without a ton of high capacity batteries. Surviving the impact is only a small part of the risk. Next you have to survive the thermal run-away of the damaged batteries.
Well, at least it’s a step in the right direction. Next step is testing actual models, with batteries and motors and wings or whatever structure houses the motors and propellers.
From the article, it sounds like it was an engineering validation test of the model used to simulate the crash, and not by itself a crashworthiness test. One has to start simple before going to the real thing, in order to be able to understand what is happening to the structure.
If the crash-worthiness team’s success is measured by a positive outcome, they’ve demonstrated that computer modelling does not always predict test results.
They are for the cameras. They undoubtedly have high frame rate movies and can model the deformation of the structure by measuring how each dot moves in relation to the others as the structure deforms and then fails.
If intended as an EVtol evaluation, then while there would not be a petroleum-based fire, there could still be a battery fire issue, neither were addressed here. But we don’t know the total scope or intent of the test.