Low-velocity impact response of fiber-metal laminates – A theoretical approach:

An original theoretical approach adopted in this article is applied to the structural response of fiber-metal laminate subjected to low-velocity impact of a foreign body. New expressions are derived from the energy balance approach with the inclusion of material plasticity. The important assumption used here is that the fibers in and around the impacted area will fail first, and that the metal layers over this area are in pure membrane state. The nonlinear load versus displacement response of the impactor is thus composed of three parts: indentation, elastic deflection and plastic deflection of the panel. The results of maximum contact force, contact duration and corresponding failure modes are presented, compared and discussed in this technical article.