Low Velocity Impact on Plain Weave S-2 Glass/DER353 Composites with the Corner of a Cube and a Hemi-Cylinder: Experiments and Simulations

Abstract

An experimental methodology has been developed to investigate the low velocity impact (LVI) damage behavior of plain weave (PW) S-2 Glass/DER353 composite laminate using a hemi-cylinder (HC) and the corner of a cube impactor. Ultrasonic Cscan images of the LVI specimens have been used to determine the extent of interlaminar delamination. LS-DYNA finite element (FE) models of the LVI experiments have been developed and simulated for different impact scenarios in conjunction with rate dependent progressive composite damage model MAT162. A Python code has been developed to reduce the experimental data and automatic determination of different LVI parameters to validate the FE models. In addition, another Python code has been developed to automate the processing of layer-by-layer damage modes and LVI simulation parameters to validate with experimental data. Computational models have been validated with LVI experimental force-time data which shows a good correlation. The relationship between computational damage prediction and LVI experimental damage has been established.