Influence of size and boundary conditions on low velocity impact response of CFRP laminated plates:experiments and numerical simulations

Low velocity and low energy impact tests were carried out on CFRP laminates, to investigate the effect of dimensions and boundary conditions on dynamic behaviour and material damage. Two different sizes and constraints were tested. Numerical simulations of impact response of specimens were performed by a finite element program and compared to experimental results. Tests indicated that both dimensions and boundary conditions affect response and damage, higher target stiffness resulting in larger energy absorption and more extended delamination. An empirical relationship with absorbed energy and with maximum contact force, independent of test configuration, is found for delamination area. The main features of contact force history were correctly predicted by numerical analysis, although disagreement is observed between numerical and experimental results due to damage.