Research progress in numerical simulation of bird strike on aircraft windshields

The bird strike resistance of aircraft windshields is a critical evaluation index in the structural strength design of aircraft. With the continuous iteration and innovation of numerical simulation methods, this technology has been extensively applied in the bird strike resistance design of aircraft windshields. A comprehensive review of recent research achievements in numerical simulations of bird strikes on aircraft windshields based on emerging theories and methodologies is presented in this paper. The geometric modeling and mechanical behavior of bird bodies, as well as the advantages, disadvantages and practical applications of various numerical analysis methods are introduced as the general investigations. In another category of research, the dynamic mechanical properties of aircraft windshield materials, as well as the investigation of dynamic responses, failure modes and other associated mechanical behaviors of flat panel structures and full-scale windshields under high strain rate conditions are summarized. Specifically, with respect to the research findings on the dynamic properties and failure behaviors of aircraft windshield materials and structures, a progressive elaboration is presented from the material level, component level to the full-scale structural level based on the concept of the building block approach. However, bottlenecks are still encountered in current research, such as the unclear coupling mechanisms of multiscale mechanical behaviors, the challenge of balancing high simulation accuracy with efficiency, and the heavy reliance on experience-based trial and error in model construction and optimization. Therefore, key directions for future research are also proposed in this paper, including multiscale numerical simulation techniques that integrate macrostructural responses with microscale damage mechanisms, standardization of meshless methods and popularization of advanced technologies, and application of machine learning methods in mitigating bird strike risks on windshields.