Finite element analysis for the evaluation of the low-velocity impact response of a composite plate

The low-velocity impact responses of cross-ply CFRP composite plates are investigated experimentally and are simulated using the finite element code LS-DYNA. An experimental test was initially performed and two different modeling approaches were then employed to model the composite plates. In the first numerical modeling approach, solid elements are utilized for the composite layers, whereas in the second, shell elements are used. The numerical model using the shell elements shows a good correlation with the experimental results, while the impact damage in the form of delamination is predicted more precisely using solid elements.