Prediction of damage due to impact for composites on the basis of possible impact threats. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dhanisetty, V.S.V.; Massart, P.F.R.; Esrail, F.; Verhagen, W.J.C.; Kassapoglou, C.; Curran, R.
• Is Part Of: International journal of impact engineering. Volume 132(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Structural impact -- Composite fuselage -- Damage modelling -- Aircraft maintenance -- Impact risk; Impact -- Periodicals; Shock (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Impact -- Périodiques; Choc (Mécanique) -- Périodiques; Impact; Shock (Mechanics); Periodicals; 620.1125
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2019.103317
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0734-743X

Abstract

Highlights: Analytical model developed and validated for impact events on composite plates. Damage modes captured: surface dent, fibre breakage, delamination, penetration. Inductive process used to predict future impact damages on composite aircraft. Results from the case study shows 18% of the impactors led to penetration. 25% of impactors that caused damage on metal, led to no-dent on composite. Abstract: This paper proposes an analytical model capable of relating damage found on a composite plate to a given impactor characteristic (size and energy). The model addresses a gap in knowledge regarding the types of damages to be expected over the lifetime of a new generation of composite aircraft. The damage type and dimensions are estimated using a superposition of local indentation and global plate deflection. The analytical approach, validated by drop-weight experiments, uniquely uses the impact characteristics predicted from metal aircraft damages as inputs to model the impact event response for composite plates under the same impact event conditions. The case study demonstrates that impact data from metal aircraft can be used to anticipate damage for a composite aircraft. The results from the model indicate that of the impactors that previously damaged metal aircraft, 75% will cause surface dent damage, fibre breakage, or penetration. As an extension of the analytical model application, a risk assessment is conducted on the predicted impactors, incorporating maintenance cost as the primary indicator for event consequences. This assessment shows the risks the similar events pose on metal vs. a comparable composite structure and allows aircraft operators to anticipate and plan maintenance actions.