DefinePK

Abstract

A computational model was developed to simulate and predict failure response of fibrous composite panels subjected to drop-weight impact on un-partitioned fibrous composite panels using finite element analysis. The mathematical formulation consisting of constitutive, equilibrium, and strain-displacement relations; finite element formulation with contact and external force; failure criteria proposed by Hasin. Finite Element Method (FEM) was chosen to perform simulation in commercially available software ABAQUS incorporating dynamic load in time-domain instead of using conventional analysis procedures of quasi-static indentation or drop weight model. To improve convergence, adaptive meshing techniques were employed to mesh the regions of high stress gradient with fine meshes and coarse meshes for the rest. Results were compared with the results from the available literature and found to be in good agreement. However, some values of acceleration parameters were very large. That was due to being computed from second order derivates, divided by very small time step size produced such larger values. Therefore, a four-point moving average filter was applied to remove ‘noise’ from the results. Some of the results from failure threshold loads were selected and included in the form of tables, contour plots and graphs.