Progressive Failure Analysis of Thin Walled Composite Tubes Under Low Energy Impact

Abstract

Composite failure criteria have been developed for dynamic analysis of composite structures. The proposed progressive failure criteria have been integrated into an explicit dynamic analysis code for failure prediction of thin composite tubes subjected to drop weight impact tests. The results provide good correlation with experimental data for impact force histories and some critical damage modes.

On the impact-induced damage in glass fiber reinforced epoxy pipes

“…For validation against existing numerical data provided by Yen et al [7], simulations were performed using the following dimensions: pipe: 317.5 mm long, 127 mm diameter, 1.4 mm thick; solid steel cylindrical impactor: 12.7 mm diameter and a hemispherical tup. The computed contact force histories are compared to the contact force results of Yen et al [7] in Figs.…”

“…The computed contact force histories are compared to the contact force results of Yen et al [7] in Figs. 3 and 4, which show the impact load vs time for the impact velocities of 1.195 m/s and 1.548 m/s, respectively.…”

“…The damage modes occurring in a composite structure subjected to transverse impact loading include: matrix tensile cracking, matrix compressive/shear failure, fiber breakage (tensile or compressive) and ply separation (delamination) [1,2,7,14,15]. The failure criteria, based on 3D stresses in a unidirectional composite layer with improved progressive failure modeling capability developed by Yen et al [7], Kim et al [14] and Choi and Chang [15], applied in this study to characterize the progression of the associated failure modes are as follows: …”

“…The failure criteria, based on 3D stresses in a unidirectional composite layer with improved progressive failure modeling capability developed by Yen et al [7], Kim et al [14] and Choi and Chang [15], applied in this study to characterize the progression of the associated failure modes are as follows: …”

“…Both in-plane and interlaminar failure initiation for various composite configurations were investigated and it was noted that mixing of unidirectional and woven-fabric layers results in increased impact damage resistance. Yen et al [7] developed a progressive failure criterion for impact analysis of composite structures, which included fiber failure, matrix failure and delamination as contributing factors. They used adynamic FE code to determine the nonlinear behavior of the composite cylindrical shapes subjected to drop weight impact loading and the results showed good correlation with the experimental data.…”