Dynamic response of laminated composites subjected to low-velocity impact

The dynamic response of E-glass/epoxy composite laminates under low velocity impact was experimentally investigated. Uni-directionally reinforced E-glass/epoxy laminates with the stacking sequence of [0 degrees/-45 degrees/45 degrees/0 degrees/90 degrees/0 degrees/45 degrees/-45 degrees/0 degrees](s) were studied with the aim of an impact test. The impact tests performed at impactor mass (30 kg) for three different impact velocities (2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 m/s) were conducted with a specially developed vertical drop weight testing machine. The radius of the impactor with a semispherical nose was 12 mm. Sample plate specimens that had dimensions of 180 x 50, 180 x 100, and 180 x 150 mm were clamped from two opposite sides while the other two sides were free. The center of each plate was exposed to impact loading. The differences in the impact responses of specimens with varying width are characterized. Moreover, it was shown that the peak force increased with the increase of the width of the specimen.