Reduced modal state-space approach for low-velocity impact analysis of sandwich beams

The convergence problems of nonlinear dynamic impact analysis may be in some extent overcome by using the linear forms of contact laws. However, the full-scale finite element analysis of structures with linearized contact laws need high computational efforts. In this study, an efficient reduced modal state-space approach with low computational cost was introduced to predict the dynamic structural response of sandwich beams. A one degree of freedom spring-mass system was used to model the dynamics of projectile. Furthermore, the fully dynamic equations of the sandwich beam were obtained using a new high-order finite element formulation. The dimensions of the dynamic system were reduced based on the method of truncated combination of modes. Finally, the reduced dynamic equations were solved in the framework of state-space approach. The results obtained from the present formulation were compared with the available analytical and numerical results and good agreements found between them.