Finite element simulation of carbon fibre-reinforced composite laminates subjected to low velocity impact using damage induced static load-deflection methodology

• We developed pre-assumed damage induced static load-deflection models.
• Cases of progressive loading areas corresponding to impactor nose profiles were simulated.
• Successive pre-assumed damage zones corresponding to impactor nose profiles were correlated to deflection values.
• Pre-assumed damage zone locations across thickness were correlated to the deflection values to estimate impact induced damage.
• The model provides an efficient too to predict ply-level damage and further insight into the impact behaviour of composite panels.

This work is concerned with the prediction of low velocity impact damage resistance of carbon fibre-reinforced laminated composite laminates. Pre-assumed damage induced laminates were simulated to correlate damage corresponding to impactor nose profiles. Majority of the existing studies conducted on the topic are experimental, based on three-dimensional stresses and failure theories that cannot readily predict ply level impact damage. Hence efficient computational models are required. The present study was conducted to efficiently predict ply level impact response of composite laminates. Static load-deflection based computational model was developed in the commercial software ABAQUSTM. Eight, 16, and 24 ply laminates impacted by point, small, medium, and flat nose impactors were considered with emphasis on flat nose impacts. Loading areas under the impactor nose profiles were partitioned to investigate effects from variations in applied loading. Pre-assumed damage zones consisting of degraded material properties equivalent to the impactor nose profiles were inserted across thickness of the laminates to predict ply-by-ply damage. Impactor nose profiles and pre-assumed damage zones (size, type, and location) were correlated to the simulation produced deflection quantities to predict the ply level damage. Selected results were compared against the data available in the literature and also against the intra-simulation results and found in good agreement.