SEDL / STP / STP1012-EB / STP10426S

Lateral Impact of Composite Cylinders

Christoforou, AP
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

Swanson, SR
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

Beckwith, SW
Hercules Aerospace Co., Magna, UT

Pages: 14    Published: Jan 1989

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Abstract

An analytical study was conducted to explore and understand the mechanics of the lateral low-velocity impact of composite cylinders by a heavy mass. Two simple models are presented, which when compared with the experimental data demonstrate that the fundamental features of the impact event are represented. Although the results are preliminary, a failure model based on linear laminated shell theory and linear fracture mechanics gave a reasonable representation of the observed impact damage. A nonlinear ring model gave good insight into the physics of the impact event in the presence of delaminations and the resulting nonlinear effects.