Impact Response of a Composite Laminate Bonded to a Metal Substrate

Abstract

Based on a spring-mass model developed by Pang et al. (1995) for a single-lap joint under impact load, the low-velocity impact responses of a composite laminate adhesively-bonded to a metal substrate have been studied. In this quasi-static model, the impact response is derived for a time-dependent force. The target structure is modeled as a single plate with an equivalent stiffness. Using an energy method, an analytical model has also been developed to determine the equivalent stiffness of the composite laminate/metal substrate hybrid structure. Advanced structural mechanics were used in the derivation of the governing equations of the structure. A FORTRAN program was developed on an IBM compatible personal computer to implement the solution algorithm. With the spring-mass system and the developed equivalent stiffness model, a relationship between the impact response and the impact duration has been established. Impact tests have been conducted to verify the proposed model. The analytical model results and the experimental data match reasonably well.