Title: Numerical and experimental characterisation of the dynamic behaviour of a passenger aircraft seat during a takeoff condition

Authors: Mohammed Alziadeh; Salim El Bouzidi; Atef Mohany; Marwan Hassan

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa ON, L1H 7K4, Canada ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada ' Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada ' School of Engineering University of Guelph Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada

Abstract: This paper investigates the dynamic response of an aircraft seat structure. The study involved the use of a finite element software to predict aircraft seat vibrations during takeoff-like flight conditions. The described model is validated by performing experimental dynamic response measurements of an aircraft seat subjected to actual take off excitation recordings obtained onboard an aircraft. The accuracy of the model is investigated by comparing the simulated properties with experimental modal analysis and seat plate dynamics data. Moreover, the severity of the transmitted vibrations to the seat surface is assessed using the seat effective amplitude transmissibility (SEAT) method. Results show that the numerical model is able to replicate the dynamic and modal properties of the aircraft seat. The numerical and experimental SEAT values computed through different methods were also found to be in good agreement. This developed model can be used to predict and improve the dynamic comfort of aircraft seats.

Keywords: aircraft passengers; aircraft seats; passenger seating; dynamic comfort; vibration transmissibility; numerical simulation; experimental modal analysis; multi-axis shaker; aircraft seat structure; aircraft takeoff; finite element analysis; FEA; seat vibration; modelling; dynamic response; seat plate dynamics; seat comfort.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2015.070415

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2015 Vol.22 No.1, pp.21 - 41

Published online: 05 Jul 2015 *

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