Numerical simulation of LVI test onto composite plates

The aim of the proposed research activity is to investigate on the structural behaviour of laminated composite plates under low velocity impacts. Analytical closed-form methods are generally unable to describe simultaneously different composite failure modes, as well as experimental tests are unable to be applied to complex boundary conditions or component geometries. Within this work it is shown that numerical simulation appears a reliable tool to describe and forecast the damage onset and growth in composite components. A numerical procedure, based on explicit finite element methods, has been proposed and applied to the simulation of drop mass impacts on composite plates, by taking in account both intra-lamina and inter-laminates damages onset and propagation up to component failure. A global/local modelling approach has been employed to create the model and its validation has been performed by considering results from different sessions of experimental tests.