Fibre-Reinforced Polymers under Impact Load

Abstract

Structural failure of fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP) caused by impact is an important factor in product development for the aircraft industry. Therefore it is necessary to obtain knowledge of the mechanisms and of the material loading during and shortly after an impact load. On account of this a Finite-Element-Model was developed with the goal to deduce design rules for impact tolerant composite materials. To verify and validate the Finite-Element-Model it is essential to have information of the state of stress on the surface of the FRP shortly after the impact. An impact test device was developed at the University of Bremen. The time variable, stress and strain conditions in composite plates are measured using photoelastic technique, strain gauges and holographic interferometry.