Discrete modelling of low-velocity impact on Nomex® honeycomb sandwich structures with CFRP skins

Abstract Predicting the honeycomb sandwich’s response to impact loading is a major challenge in the aeronautical industry. Several papers demonstrated the possible use of non-linear springs to model Nomex’s impact behavior. On the other hand, the authors show that the lack of transverse shear consideration constitutes a real limitation. The aim of this study is to overcome this limitation by introducing a compression/shear coupling to take into account the transverse shear. In this approach, the modelling of a low velocity impact test is performed on a sandwich composite with CFRP skins and Nomex® honeycomb. Composite skins are modeled as an elasto-plastic-damage material using a user field surbroutine (Abaqus©). The Nomex core is modeled with non-linear springs integrating a compression/shear coupling behavior. Then, the sandwich response under low speed impact is realized and compared with experimental data leading to a good correlation.

[1]  S. Marguet.  Contribution à la modélisation du comportement mécanique des structures sandwichs soumises à l'impact , 2007 .

[2]  Yulfian Aminanda,et al.  Experimental and numerical study of compression after impact of sandwich structures with metallic skins , 2009 .

[3]  Ji-kui Zhang,et al.  Simulating low-velocity impact induced delamination in composites by a quasi-static load model with surface-based cohesive contact , 2015 .

[4]  Yulfian Aminanda,et al.  Core crush criterion to determine the strength of sandwich composite structures subjected to compression after impact , 2008 .

[5]  Serge Abrate,et al.  Impact on Composite Structures , 1998 .

[6]  M. Ashby,et al.  Cellular solids: Structure & properties , 1988 .

[7]  Jong-Shin Huang,et al.  Elastic moduli and plastic collapse strength of hexagonal honeycombs with plateau borders , 2002 .

[8]  Jong-Shin Huang,et al.  Numerical analysis of the stiffness and strength of regular hexagonal honeycombs with plateau borders , 2004 .

[10]  Shujuan Hou,et al.  Low-velocity impact response of composite sandwich structures: Modelling and experiment , 2017 .

[11]  Claudio Sbarufatti,et al.  Experimental and numerical investigations of low velocity impact on sandwich panels , 2013 .

[12]  Dieter Krause,et al.  Numerical modelling of Nomex honeycomb sandwich cores at meso-scale level , 2017 .

[13]  Q. Qin,et al.  Compressive crushing of novel aluminum hexagonal honeycombs with perforations: Experimental and numerical investigations , 2017 .

[14]  David L. McDowell,et al.  Yield surfaces of various periodic metal honeycombs at intermediate relative density , 2005 .

[15]  Mojtaba Sadighi,et al.  A Study on Metal Hexagonal Honeycomb Crushing Under Quasi-Static Loading , 2009 .

[16]  Dieter Krause,et al.  Numerical modelling of partially potted inserts in honeycomb sandwich panels under pull-out loading , 2018, Composite Structures.

[17]  Jong-Shin Huang,et al.  Failure surfaces for brittle honeycombs with Plateau borders under in-plane biaxial loads , 2006 .

[18]  B. Castanié,et al.  Experimental Analysis and Modeling of the Crushing of Honeycomb Cores , 2005 .

[19]  Zhenyu Xue,et al.  Constitutive model for quasi‐static deformation of metallic sandwich cores , 2004 .

[20]  Jin-Hwe Kweon,et al.  Characterization of Nomex honeycomb core constituent material mechanical properties , 2014 .

[21]  Jeom Kee Paik,et al.  The strength characteristics of aluminum honeycomb sandwich panels , 1999 .

[22]  Yulfian Aminanda,et al.  Modelling of low-energy/low-velocity impact on Nomex honeycomb sandwich structures with metallic skins , 2008 .