Finite Element Analysis of Stiffened Composite Panels Subjected by Low-Velocity Impact

Abstract:

In this paper, the low-velocity performance of stiffened composite panels is investigated experimentally and numerically. In order to illustrate the effect of the stiffener, a number of plain laminates with same lay-up of the skin were impacted in various energies. Progressive damage models based on continuum damage mechanics (CDM) were used in combination with cohesive interface elements to predict the structural response and fracture mechanics of stiffened composite panels. The constitutive mode was implemented into the ABAQUS/Explicit FE code by user-defined material subroutines (VUMAT). The developed FE model made a good prediction about the structural impact response of stiffened panels over the rang of impact energies examined. Very good agreement was achieved between the extent of damage predicted around the impact site and the damage detected by non-destructive technique (NDT) ultrasonic C-scan of the panels.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 644-650)
• Pages: 4726-4730
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.644-650.4726
• Online since: September 2014
• Authors: Wen Chao Zhang*, Yuan Guo, Zhi Dong Guan, Xia Guo, Wei He, Ri Ming Tan
• Keywords: Continuum Damage, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Interface Elements, Low-Velocity Impact, Stiffened Composite Panels

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