Numerical simulation of delamination induced by drop-weight impact in composite space structures and correlation with experiments

The present paper proposes a parametric study to find a correlation between numerical and experimental results in terms of delaminated areas in a composite material element subjected to a drop-weight impact. The present work analyzes and simulates with a finite element approach and with the use of the Cohesive Zone Model (CZM) technique, the onset and the propagation of a delamination in a CFRP, when it is subjected to a drop-weight impact. Firstly, some results taken by previous experiences reported in literature have been reproduced in order to validate the study and secondly the same analysis has been performed with a larger range of impact energies, providing new information. This article aims at posing the basis to develop a reliable method to simulate Low Velocity Impacts (LVI) on Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) which follow the ASTM Normative. A preliminary investigation about the boundary conditions effect has been performed and a correlation between numerical and experimental results has been evaluated to carry out the cohesive parameters. Static and dynamic analyses on numerical models are both presented in this work.