Paper number 663

CURVATURE EFFECTS ON THE DAMAGE TOLERANCE OF IMPACT DAMAGED COMPOSITE SANDWICH PANELS

R. Clifton Moody, James S. Harris, and Anthony J. Vizzini

Composites Research Lab
Department of Aerospace Engineering
University of Maryland College Park, Maryland 20742, USA

Summary An experimental program was conducted to investigate the effects of specimen curvature on the residual compression strength of impact damaged composite sandwich panels. The damage level studied corresponded to Barely Visible Impact Damage (BVID). Flat and curved (1.1 m radius) specimens of two widths (152 mm and 305 mm) were manufactured. A drop mechanism was used to create BVID on one facesheet of the panels (convex face of the curved panels). All specimens were then loaded axially in compression to failure. The results demonstrate that panel curvature does have some effect on the local BVID propagation. Panel curvature on the order of 1.1 m radius has little effect on the ultimate axial load capacity of test specimen.
Keywords damage tolerance, sandwich structures, barely visible impact damage.

Theme : Composite Structures ; Characterisation

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