Scientific Analysis of TU-154M Crash in Smolensk Russia, Presented by Dr. Wieslaw Binienda at Technical University of Poznan, Poland.

Published: November 17, 2015

Dr. Wieslaw Binienda, Ph.D.

On October 28, 2015, Dr. Wieslaw K. Binienda, Chairman and Professor of Civil Engineering at The University of Akron, Ohio, USA, and expert in the area of strength of materials and high-energy impact, presented in Poznan his seminar prepared for the Polish scientific community at the IV Smolensk Conference in Warsaw.

The expert summarized findings of his research group as well as other researchers, such as Dr. Gregory Szuladzinski, structural engineering expert from Australia, and Glenn Jorgensen, aerodynamics expert from Denmark.

Binienda corroborated on Jorgensen’s findings, noting that a 6 meter-long part of the wing has been separated in Smolensk from the rest of the left wing, along the line inclined at 20 degree from the direction of the natural air flow. He further noted that the line starts from the area of the brake, between the second and third slat, and cutting straight to the small area between the aerolon and the flap. The scientist concluded that these were the only areas without moving parts, which are the most difficult to inspect.

He also pointed out the upside-down position of the wreckage of the fuselage segment, noting that both walls were open in the outward orientation before the crash landing of the plane. Such configuration can be produced by explosion in the fuselage in the air, the scientist noted.

During the second part of his seminar, Dr. Binienda presented results of his most recent wind tunnel experiments.

The researcher showed two models of the airplane fabricated using 3D printing technology at 1:100 scale, that cost over $2,000 to produce. The first model was in a cruise configuration and the second in a landing configuration. Both models were tested in a wind tunnel and simulated using Computational Fluid Dynamics codes, such as CFD++ and Fluent. The Tu154M Airplane models used in the experiment, contain slats, flaps and wheels. The jet engines were not included in the test, as it is normally practiced during an aerodynamic research. The wind tunnel can produce wind velocities of up to 55m/s.

While in the wind tunnel, the airplane model behaves similarly to the real airplane. The results were used to validate the CFD results and to verify Jorgensen’s results for a real-size airplane.

The scientist also described the direction of his future research and his intent to conduct tests using an airplane model without 1/3 and 2/3 left wing. He also plans to investigate a free flow of the 1/3 airplane wing after separation from the rest of the airplane.

Binienda pointed out that aerodynamic problems are very interesting and that the issue of the birch tree, alleged to have caused the crash, has been conclussively debunked, is closed, and not need any further investigation.

After the presentation there was time for questions and discussion. Professor Piotr Witakowski, Ph.D., who organized this seminar, explained:

“Aviation regulations require that a large airplane must be stable even if the difference in lift force reaches 20%. It is worth noting that elimination of a 6m wing area reduces the lift force by 8%. Hence, the loss of 1/3 of the wing is not sufficient to cause uncontrollable rotation of the airplane. If such uncontrollable rotation was possible by the loss of 8% of the lift force, such airplane would not receive safety certification to fly to foreign airports”.

Prepared by: Margotte a Bernard

Professor Binienda's entire presentation can be viewed below:

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TNT (TriNitroToluene) is a chemical compound with the formula CH₃C₆H₂(NO₂)₃. This yellow-colored solid is sometimes used as a reagent in chemical synthesis, but it is best known as a useful explosive material with convenient handling properties. The explosive yield of TNT is considered to be the standard measure of strength of bombs and other explosives.

TNT is one of the most commonly used explosives for military and industrial applications. It is valued partly because of its insensitivity to shock and friction, which reduces the risk of accidental detonation, compared to other more sensitive high explosives such as nitroglycerin.

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