Impact and post impact response of laminated beams at low temperatures

In this study, glass fiber reinforced unidirectional and crossply laminated composite beams were subjected to low velocity impact and compression after impact (CAI) testing at low temperatures. A total of fifty effective 152.4 mm × 50.8 mm × 3.2 mm laminated beam specimens were prepared. Low velocity impact tests were conducted on the prepared specimens using an instrumented drop-tower impact machine at frozen temperatures 0 °C, −10 °C, and −20 °C. Temperatures at 20 °C and 10 °C were also used for comparisons. CAI tests were conducted using a hydraulic-servo MTS machine to determine the residual load carrying capacity of the impact damaged specimens. Damage observation was conducted to aid in the understanding of the damage mechanism. The effect of environmental temperatures on the impact damages and on the residual compressive buckling strength and elastic modulus was evaluated based on the test results.