Effects of stacking sequence on the impact resistance in composite laminates. Part 2: Prediction method

A parameter based on bending strain is proposed as a method of predicting the impact damage resistance in a composite laminate with respect to changes in stacking sequence. The method was evaluated by ranking laminates for damage resistance using the proposed parameter and comparing the results with existing experimental and numerical results. The results were generally positive, as the damage resistance parameter had a high linear correlation with the experimentally measured or numerically predicted damage areas. Some limitations were noted with the method, including the inaccurate ranking of laminates containing plies stacked at angles greater than 60 degrees. With further research, the proposed damage resistance parameter should provide a viable alternative to the sophisticated and time-consuming methods currently available when making low-velocity impact damage predictions. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.