Low velocity impact and compressive response after impact of thin carbon fiber composite panels

Impact damage of laminated composite structures continues to be a challenging problem. The complexity morphology, the sequence events, and multiple modes pose significant challenges when it comes design for tolerance. In an effort reduce some complexity, systematic experimental study was conducted understand during impact thin plate. Two configurations carbon fiber reinforced epoxy panels were impacted with increasing energies. Digital image correlation (DIC), using high speed camera, performed measure plate deflection strain evolution event. Detailed post measurement imaging quantify extent delamination. Compression after (CAI) tests ascertain compressive load carrying capability panel. results experiments indicate from back surface splitting, delamination then failure. Correlations also found between energies, panel configuration type morphology. data thus generated is useful validating computational models CAI. An approach performing such validation provided in this study.