Low velocity heavy mass impact response of single curve composites

This article presents an extensive experimental investigation of singly curved fibre-reinforced composite structures subjected to low energy heavy mass impact. The objective of the study is to understand the contribution the surface ply orientation makes to the resistance of the impact strike and the impact behaviour of composite cylinders of different stacking configuration. Tests were conducted on laminate configurations suitable for various structural applications, using an instrumented drop-weight (30 kg) device. Impact studies conducted were on half single curved symmetrical composite panels of (β 2/452/−452/02/902)s stacking configuration, where β = 0, 30, 45, 60, 90 and also on fully single curve composite cylinders of stacking sequence (02/452/902/−452)s, (452/02/902/−452)s and (902/452/02/−452)s. The test samples were manufactured by the hand lay-up technique using unidirectional carbon fibre–epoxy matrix prepregs. The impact properties such as the absorbed energy, bending stiffness, saturation energy, damage degree and the contact period were obtained from the response data and interpreted to establish the impact effect on the composite structure. From this unique study, it was realised that surface ply orientation of half single curved composites significantly contributes to the energy absorption characteristics and that the damage effect was most severe for the (902/452/02/−452)s configuration of the composite cylinder