Evaluation of the Floater N219 Structure with CEVL Material in Response to Random Wave Excitation

Amphibious aircraft are seaplanes fitted with dual floats attached to the fuselage, allowing for landing and take-offs on aquatic surfaces. This research presents a method for evaluating the structural integrity of amphibious aircraft subjected to stochastic wave load stimulation through a probabilistic framework. The wave loads on the aircraft are assessed using the panel approach in a time domain simulation with ANSYS AQWA. Aircraft operations are simulated under three wave height: 0.5 m, 1.0 m, and 1.5 m, with three variations in relative wave direction: 90̊, 180̊, and 0̊, within a wave frequency range of up to 2 rad/s. The simulation of the floater model attempts to predict the vertical bending moment experienced by the structure; this value is subsequently utilized as input in static load modelling through the finite element method to determine the maximum stress value. A probabilistic approach was employed to account for the stochastic characteristics of wave loads, with all potential loads represented as a probability density function (PDF). Moreover, the structural reliability evaluation, which ascertains the likelihood of structural failure, was estimated by combining the load PDF with the strength PDF, derived from CEVL material testing. The evaluation results indicate that the probability of structural failure is -0.34, -0.23 and -0.029 for wave heights of 0.5 m, 1.0 m, and 1,5 m, respectively. The reliability of the floater structure might be enhanced by diminishing the stress induced by wave loads by reinforcement of floater’s longitudinal structure and/or the fortification of the CEVL material.