Dynamic response and damage of composite shell under impact

The dynamic response and damage of laminated composite cylindrical shell subjected to impact load is numerically investigated using the finite element method. A nine-node isoparametric quadrilateral element based on Sander's shell theory is developed, in which the transverse shear deformation is considered. A semi-empirical contact law that accounts for the permanent indentation is incorporated into the finite element program to evaluate the contact force. The Newmark time ingegration algorithm is used for solving the time dependent equations of the shell and the impactor. The Tsai-Wu failure criterion is used to estimate the failure of the laminated shell. Numerical results, including the contact force history, interlaminate damage zone, and failure indices in the shell are presented. Effects of curvature, impact velocity and mass of impactor on the composite shell behaviors are discussed.