Jennifer D. Rhymer1, Hyonny Kim1
CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.35, No.2, pp. 87-117, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.035.087
Abstract Polymer matrix composite structures are exposed to a variety of impact threats including hail ice. Internal delamination damage created by these impacts can exist in a form that is visually undetectable. This paper establishes an analysis methodology for predicting the onset of delamination damage in toughened carbon/epoxy composite laminates when impacted by high velocity ice spheres (hailstones). Experiments and analytical work focused on ice sphere impact onto composite panels have determined the failure threshold energy as a function of varying ice diameter and panel thickness, and have established the ability to predict the onset of More >