Delamination prediction in composite laminates under low-velocity impact

This paper presents a damage analysis process of composite laminates subjected to low-velocity impact. Drop weight tests were carried out on specimens with two kinds of stacking sequence. Ultrasonic C-Scan was used to investigate the delamination area of each interface. Numerical models were built based on a damage model where cohesive contact method was involved. The efficiency of delamination modeling was discussed and the damage model was validated. The results of the FEM were found to agree well with experimental observation. According to the results, a prediction process of delamination shape was made for composite laminates under low-velocity impact. The delamination area was found to distribute symmetrically around the impact point while the shape is related to the ply angles of the layers close to the interface. The prediction was proved to have good accuracy and efficiency. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.