A nonlinear finite element analysis of impact response and impact-induced damage in
curved composite laminates subjected to transverse impact by a foreign object is
carried out. An eight-noded isoparametric quadrilateral shell element incorporating a
nonlinear strain displacement relation due to large deflection is developed based on
the total Lagrangian approach. The nonlinear system of equations is solved using a
Newton–Raphson incremental-iterative method. Example problems of graphite/epoxy
cylindrically curved laminates with different curvature are considered and the
influence of geometrical nonlinearity on the impact response and the resulting
damage is demonstrated. The concurrent effect of material degradation due to impact
damage is also investigated.
Keywords
finite element analysis, geometric nonlinearity, eight
noded quadrilateral shell element, composite shell, impact,
material degradation
Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research
Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computer Simulation
NAL Belur Campus
Bangalore, Karnataka 560037
India
