Dynamic Impact Loading Damage Propagation in Composite Structures

Durability of advanced composite structural systems under dynamic impact and post impact tension loading is investigated. The GENOA virtual testing software environment is used to implement the dynamic loading effects on fracture progression and damage tolerance. A composite panel is investigated under impact, and Tension After Impact (TAI). Impact and post impact simulations include verification and prediction of: 1) load and Impact energy, Impact Damage Size, 3) Maximum Impact Peak Load, 4) TAI Residual Strength, 5) Maximum displacement, 6) Contribution of failure modes to failure mechanisms, 7) Prediction of impact load versus time, and 8) Damage, and fracture pattern. A computer model is utilized for the assessment of structural response, progressive fracture, and defect/damage tolerance characteristics. Results show the damage progression sequence and the changes in the structural response characteristics due to dynamic impact. The fundamental premise of computational simulation is that the complete evaluation of composite fracture requires an assessment of ply and subply level damage/fracture processes as the structure is subjected to loads. Simulation results were compared with the impact and tension failure test data, correlation and verification was obtained that included: 1) impact energy, Impact, 2) Damage Size 3) Maximum Impact Peak Load, 4) TAI Residual Strength, 5) Maximum displacement and 6) failure mechanisms of the composite structure.