Delamination in GLARE laminates under low velocity impact

Present paper deals with the finite element (FE) analysis for determination of impact induced delamination in GLARE laminates. Despite the fact that GLARE possesses better impact properties compared to those for both aluminium and glass/epoxy composites, the low interface strengths may lead to failure in the form of delamination and debonding under low velocity impacts (LVIs). In the present work, LVI responses of GLARE 5 and GLARE 4-3/2 are studied to compare the contact force-time history, plate deflection and delamination at the interfaces using a transient dynamic FE code developed incorporating Newmark-13 method and Hertzian contact law. Results show that under LVI, GLARE 4-3/2 is more susceptible to delamination at the interfaces compared to GLARE 5-2/1. The effects of outer aluminium layer thickness and laminate configuration on the interfacial delamination in GLARE under LVI are also studied.