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The use of evacuation modelling techniques in the design of very large transport aircraft and blended wing body aircraft

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

E. R. Galea ,
S. J. Blake ,
S. Gwynne  and
P. J. Lawrence
E. R. Galea
Affiliation:
Fire Safety Engineering Group, The University of Greenwich, London, UK
S. J. Blake
Affiliation:
Fire Safety Engineering Group, The University of Greenwich, London, UK
S. Gwynne
Affiliation:
Fire Safety Engineering Group, The University of Greenwich, London, UK
P. J. Lawrence
Affiliation:
Fire Safety Engineering Group, The University of Greenwich, London, UK
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Abstract

Very Large Transport Aircraft (VLTA) pose considerable challenges to designers, operators and certification authorities. Questions concerning seating arrangement, nature and design of recreational space, the number, design and location of internal staircases, the number of cabin crew required and the nature of the cabin crew emergency procedures are just some of the issues that need to be addressed. Other more radical concepts such as blended wing body (BWB) design, involving one or two decks with possibly four or more aisles offer even greater challenges. Can the largest exits currently available cope with passenger flow arising from four or five aisles? Do we need to consider new concepts in exit design? Should the main aisles be made wider to accommodate more passengers? In this paper we demonstrate how computer based evacuation models can be used to investigate these issues through examination of staircase evacuation procedures for VLTA and aisle/exit configuration for BWB cabin layouts.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 107 , Issue 1070 , April 2003 , pp. 207 - 218
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2003 

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