On Impact Damage of Composite Shells by a Low-Velocity Projectile

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact-induced damage initiation and propagation in laminated composite shell under low-velocity impact. A three-dimensional eight-node nonconforming element with Taylor’s modification scheme is described to analyze interlaminar stress distribution and damage propagation. The damage analysis is performed by using the Tsai-Wu quadratic failure criterion, Tsai’s damage modes and an additional delamination formula at all Gauss points. The damage modes considered are matrix cracking, fiber breakage and delamination. The progressive failure is expressed by reducing stiffness of the material at all failed Gauss points. Special attention is centered on curved laminates. Transient damage areas are predicted for the composite shells. The analyses of the flat and curved laminates are compared for discussing their different damage mechanism. Numerical results are validated by experimental results.