Article by Alabbad, Vel , and Lopez-Anido presenting a novel solution for low-velocity impact resistance and damage tolerance of composites published in “Composites Part B”
Orono, Maine — An article by ASCC and University of Maine Department of Mechanical Engineering researchers Maitham Alabbad, Senthil S. Vel, and Roberto A. Lopez-Anido was published in Composites Part B: Engineering. The paper, titled, “Computational model for predicting the low-velocity impact resistance and tolerance of composite laminates” presents a novel solution to the problem of low-velocity impact resistance and damage tolerance of composites, which is relevant for the design of structural applications where impact damage is a major concern, such as aircraft and marine vessels. Predicting damage tolerance is critical for deciding if a structure can continue to be functional after suffering impact. By validating the computational model with experimental data a computational method for efficient design and damage assessment of composite structures was developed.
This research was done by Alabbad as a part of his Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maine. The article appears in the September 2022 issue of Composites Part B, which has a 12% acceptance rate and an impact factor of 11.322. According to Google Scholar this journal is ranked #1 in the field of Composite Materials.
Computational model for predicting the low-velocity impact resistance and
tolerance of composite laminates
Authors: Maitham Alabbad, Senthil S. Vel, Roberto A. Lopez-Anido
Composites Part B: Engineering, Volume 244, September 2022, 110187
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2022.110187
Received: 25 March 2022 / Revised: 24 July 2022 / Accepted: 26 July 2022 / Available Online 30 July 2022/ Version of Record 11 August 2022
Abstract
We present a numerical model for predicting the low velocity impact resistance and tolerance of multidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced composite laminates made of non-crimp fabric. A finite element model is developed wherein the heterogeneous plies are replaced by equivalent homogeneous orthotropic plies. The low-velocity impact of a carbon–epoxy laminate is investigated using an explicit finite element model. Intralaminar failure and damage is evaluated using the 3D Hashin failure criteria and a surface-based cohesive behavior is implemented to capture the delamination between the plies. Following the low velocity impact, the finite element model is subjected to axial compression to investigate the compressive residual strength after impact, which is a measure of damage tolerance. The computational model is used to investigate the impact resistance and tolerance of a 24-ply multidirectional symmetric laminate reinforced with carbon fiber non-crimp fabric. The low velocity impact response and the compressive residual strength after impact are validated with experimental data for different levels of impact energy. It is found that the computational model can predict the impact resistance and damage tolerance for impact energies up to 50 J.
Keywords: Non-crimp fabric reinforced composite, Low velocity impact resistance, Damage tolerance, Residual compressive strength
Computational model for predicting the low-velocity impact resistance and tolerance of composite laminates
Composites Part B: Engineering, Volume 244, 2022
Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu