Finite Element Analysis of Low-velocity Impact Damage Tolerance on Composite Laminates

Fiber reinforced composite laminates typically respond very poorly to transverse impact loads. This paper investigates the low-velocity impact behavior and impact-induced damages in glass fiber epoxy composite laminates. A 3-D dynamic nonlinear finite element (FE) approach was adopted to study damage in composite laminate subjected to low-velocity impact. A layered version of an eight-noded isoparametric brick element with incompatible modes is used to model the laminate. The commercially available 3-D dynamic nonlinear finite element code, LS-DYNA, with the Chang-Chang linear-orthotropic damage model was performed to calculate the time-varying displacements, strains and stress through the laminate resulting from impact. The various steps involved in describing impact simulation, necessary initial and boundary condition of both bodies and LS-Dyna cards required to simulate impact event are discussed.