Numerical simulations of a bird strike against a helicopter windshield

The article presents simulation results of a bird strike with a helicopter windshield of small helicopter category. It turns out that there are no certification requirements regarding windshield of this category. Therefore Agusta A109 helicopter as a representing this helicopter category has been chosen for researcher. The simulations were conducted on the basis of LS-DYNA software by means of the SPH method for bird model shape of cylinder with hemispherical endings for the speed of Vc = 285 km/h. The analyses regarded various angles of the bird model impact into windshield. As a result of the simulations, comparative analyses in the aspect of time curves of the kinetic energy, velocity, and windshield deformation were achieved. The analysis shows that at smaller angles of attack, the bird’s model has a higher speed at the moment of impact, and thus greater kinetic energy, because it did not lose speed as a result of the collision. In addition, the deflection of the windshield is smaller. In some cases, the deflection of the windshield may be observed, which indicates the elastic response of the system. In case of impact in the normal direction to the surface of the glass, the bird’s model practically pierces it. The use of a thicker pane translates into less deformation of the pane, but causes its destruction at the connection point with the helicopter carrier structure.