Explosive and Rapid Decompression in Aircraft Cabins
Location
CSU 201
Start Date
22-4-2008 10:30 AM
End Date
22-4-2008 12:15 PM
Student's Major
Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Nihad E. Daidzic
Mentor's Department
Aviation
Mentor's College
Education
Description
A simple lumped parameter model for cockpit and cabin decompression of large transport-category and corporate size jet-powered airplanes has been created. The model is zero-dimensional based on the conservation of mass and energy, assumes isentropic expansion of the air, and accounts for both sonic and sub-sonic flows. Simulations through MatLab® have provided numerical results for pressure and temperature variations over time, which have been compared for various cabin sizes, discharge coefficients, opening cross-sectional areas, and pressure and cabin altitudes. Cockpit decompression, along with its effects on cabin decompression and forces on the cockpit security door, has also been simulated. Results showed that relatively small pressure vessels of corporate jets and its passengers are much more likely to suffer from hypoxia, extreme cold conditions, and possibly the pilot's incapacitation. In addition, if the cockpit decompresses first, the forces applied to the newly installed security door may reach unsafe levels and become hazardous to the flight crew. Under certain conditions the simulations showed that these events could happen on timescales below human response times. Therefore it is important for pilots to understand this process and learn how to react in case of such an event. Lastly, cabin decompression is attracting interest due to the future high-altitude and sub-orbital aircraft which will need new solutions to this issue to ensure flight safety.
Explosive and Rapid Decompression in Aircraft Cabins
CSU 201
A simple lumped parameter model for cockpit and cabin decompression of large transport-category and corporate size jet-powered airplanes has been created. The model is zero-dimensional based on the conservation of mass and energy, assumes isentropic expansion of the air, and accounts for both sonic and sub-sonic flows. Simulations through MatLab® have provided numerical results for pressure and temperature variations over time, which have been compared for various cabin sizes, discharge coefficients, opening cross-sectional areas, and pressure and cabin altitudes. Cockpit decompression, along with its effects on cabin decompression and forces on the cockpit security door, has also been simulated. Results showed that relatively small pressure vessels of corporate jets and its passengers are much more likely to suffer from hypoxia, extreme cold conditions, and possibly the pilot's incapacitation. In addition, if the cockpit decompresses first, the forces applied to the newly installed security door may reach unsafe levels and become hazardous to the flight crew. Under certain conditions the simulations showed that these events could happen on timescales below human response times. Therefore it is important for pilots to understand this process and learn how to react in case of such an event. Lastly, cabin decompression is attracting interest due to the future high-altitude and sub-orbital aircraft which will need new solutions to this issue to ensure flight safety.
Recommended Citation
Simones, Matthew. "Explosive and Rapid Decompression in Aircraft Cabins." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 22, 2008.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2008/oral-session-12/7
