Finite element analyses of low-velocity impact damage of foam sandwiched composites with different ply angles face sheets

In the current studies, low-velocity impact properties and impact damage response of foam sandwiched composite with different ply angle face sheets were investigated experimentally and numerically. Low-velocity impact tests were performed using an instrumented Drop-Weight Machine (Instron 9250HV). The FE (finite element) software, ABAQUS/Explicit was employed to simulate low-velocity impact properties of foam sandwiched composite. A crushable foam model was used in order to explore core behaviors, while the Hashin criteria were used to predict the failure of the face sheets. The contact load histories, peak load, and energy absorption were obtained to compare the numerical and experimental results at several impact energy levels. The failure morphologies, damage size and damage shape were evaluated and compared with different types of sandwich structures. The comparisons illustrated the existence of a good agreement between the experimental and FEM results. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.