Characterization of Impact Damages and Responses in CFRP Composite Shells

Abstract. Curved composite shells are more frequently used than flat plates as skins of automobiles, ships and space vehicles etc. to meet performance demands. The objective of this study was to determine, in curved CF/Epoxy(Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Resin) composite shells, how to change boundary condition, curvatures and impact velocity affect impact behavior, damage area and absorbed energy under static and low-velocity impact loadings. By experimenting on the curved composite shells, we found that there were substantial differences between the responses of a flat-plate and curved composite shell to transverse loading. And the impact behavior, damage area, and absorbed energy of the composite shells were a function of the boundary condition, curvatures and impact velocity.