Simulation and Experimental Investigation of Impact Damage in Composite Shell

초록

In order to investigate impact-induced damage in laminated composite shells, a drop-weight impact test was performed for specimens of composite material UIN 125B graphite/epoxy. For the test, 20-ply symmetric cross-ply composite cylindrical shell panels, [04/904/02]s, were fabricated as specimens of 4 groups of different radius R. Each group has 7 specimens with the same size. The low-velocity impact experiment was conducted for the total 28 specimens. After impact test the specimens were inspected in an X-ray chamber. The extent of the damage was examined by means of both X-ray and C-scan techniques. For the comparison, a three-dimensional eight-node non-conforming element was used to simulate progressive failure by applying reduced stiffness to the damaged material. Damage simulation was implemented as three failure modes of matrix cracking, fiber breakage and delamination, depending on the transient stress fields developed in the impact. The simulation results have a good agreement with the experiment analysis.