Low Velocity Impact Induced Delamination Control Using MFC Actuator

The potential use of MFC actuator as a tool for reducing low velocity impact induced delamination has been investigated using LS-DYNA explicit finite element code. An induced strain piezoelectric actuation model was implemented into LS-DYNA through its user defined material subroutine to simulate the piezoelectric effects while a cohesive based damage model was used to predict delamination. The numerical study confirmed that delamination could be reduced but the MFC required very high actuation voltages even in the case of very low energy impact which is not practically achievable with the existing actuator. Assuming powerful actuators are not something impossible in near future, this study provide useful information for advancing composite impact investigation using piezoelectric actuator as an integrated tool for improving its impact tolerance.