Dynamic response of laminated GFRP composite under low velocity impact: Experimental and Numerical study

This paper presents experimental and numerical study of dynamic response of laminated glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite plate due to blunt projectile impact considering incidence velocity lower than the ballistic limit. The experimentation of impact tests were performed with pneumatic gun which was used to propel a 52 g cylindrical steel projectile of diameter 19 mm on the laminated composite plate (0 degrees/90 degrees)(5) of size 140 mm x 140 mm x 3.12 mm. A three dimensional Finite Element model has also been presented in ANSYS/AUTODYN, a commercial hydro code, considering shock effect of impact in material modeling. The numerical results were validated with actual results. The time histories of velocity and acceleration of projectile along with the deflection, resistance force, energy absorption and damage pattern in the target plate have been studied. The numerical predictions of damage in the target and velocity history of the projectile show good correlation with the actual results. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.