Low-velocity impact response of active thin-walled hybrid composite structures embedded with SMA wires

Effect of some important parameters on low-velocity impact response of the active thin-walled hybrid composite plates embedded with the shape memory alloy (SMA) wires is investigated in this paper. The interaction between the impactor and the composite plate is considered in the impact analysis. The SMA wires are embedded within the layers of the composite laminate. The effect of the SMA wires on contact force history, deflection, in-plane strains and stresses of the structure was studied. The first-order shear deformation theory as well as the Fourier series method is utilized to solve the governing equations of the composite plate analytically. The interaction between the impactor and the plate is modeled with the help of two degrees-of-freedom system, consisting of springs-masses. The Choi's linearized Hertzian contact model is used in the impact analysis of the laminated hybrid composite plate. The results indicate that some of the important geometrical and physical parameters like the SMA volume fraction, orientation of composite medium fibers, impactor mass, impactor velocity, and length-to-thickness ratio of the plate (a/h ratio) are important factors affecting the impact process and the design of structures. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.