Low-velocity Impact Analysis of Composite Repair Patches of Different Shapes

<p>The area under crack for various structures can be effectively repaired by the use of composite materials. Low velocity impact can cause barely visible damage to the interior structure of laminated composite. These impacts can cause delamination in composite materials. In this study, a Finite Element Analysis was conducted using Abaqus/Explicit and the results of the analysis were compared to the experimental data from literature. E-glass/epoxy composite laminate was subjected to a low velocity impact test. To study the effect of patch repair, a composite patch was applied on a cracked laminate and a low velocity impact was then conducted on this model. The FEA results were validated with the experimental data and an approach to model an ideal composite patch shape was conducted. Different patch shapes like square, rectangle, circle and ellipse were designed and analyzed on the crack by keeping the surface area of the patch common. All these patches were compared and an ideal patch shape was found for the model on the basis of stress concentration on the patch. Finally a parametric study was performed considering the change in impactor speed and impactor material on the impact damage. Thus, this research work readily demonstrates the effectiveness of finite element analysis of low velocity impact.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Year

2015

Author dc:creator

• Baliga, Sarvesh

• low-velocity impact
• composites
• Aerospace Engineering
• Structures and Materials

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.erau.edu/edt/197

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.erau.edu:edt-1196