A Simple, Elasto-Plastic Contact Law for Composites

Abstract

A simple model is proposed for the static indentation of advanced compos ite laminates. The model incorporates the salient features of Hertzian contact and includes the effects of plasticity. The model is compared with test data with good results. Additional nonlinearities which are not accounted for in the theoretical development as a result of ex tensive laminate bending and damage beneath the impactor are noted. The permanent in dentation as a result of contact is compared with measured permament indentation with good results. Thus, given a measured damage, estimates of the severity of the contact event may be made.