Low-velocity impact response of composite sandwich panels

Abstract

In the present work, a detailed and rigorous theoretical approach was developed to investigate the impact response of composite sandwich panel subjected to low-velocity impact. The effect of the size of the impactor is included in the mathematical model. The theoretical approach uses the principle of minimum total potential energy to relate the deflection to the impact load. The internal energy comprising contact, bending and membrane energy together with the potential energy of the external work done were accounted for in the derivation of the load–displacement relationship of impactor with the composite sandwich panel. No perforation was accounted for in the present approach. Extensive impact tests were conducted and presented in some details. The comparison of the current approach with the experimental results showed that the trends of the impact response were predicted with some degree of confidence.

Keywords

Honeycomb sandwich laminates impact behaviour analytical low velocity

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