The effect of low-velocity impact on the flexural strength of E-glass/epoxy composite plates

E-glass/epoxy composite is very prone to small impact such as dropping tools or splash rocks, which can cause damage or degradation to E-glass/epoxy composite components. A progressive damage model for E-glass/epoxy composite in ABAQUS Explicit was developed in this study to numerically predict low-velocity impact (LVI) damage and residual strength of an E-glass/epoxy composite component. Hashin-Rotem criteria were used to define laminate damage initiation, and traction-separation law was used to define the cohesive region. LVI and four-point bending after the impact (BAI) of the woven E-glass/epoxy composite plates were simulated and compared with available experimental data in the literature. Good agreement was found between finite element analysis (FEA) predictions and the experimental results, which include the impact zone shape, as well as the load-deflection response and residual bending strength from the four-point bending tests.