Finite-element failure analysis of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic cylinders under transverse impact loading

A finite-element (FE) model that can predict deformation and impact loading of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic cylinders under transverse impact loading is proposed. Thick-shell elements are used, and failure is evaluated at the integration points. A different failure criterion is defined for every failure mode. The fibre direction failure condition is defined by using failure strength obtained from three-point bending tests. Fibre transverse direction failure and out-of-plane failure conditions are determined by comparing impact test and FE analysis results for one test condition. These failure conditions are defined by calculating the principal shear stresses caused by impact, in a simulation with no other applied failure criteria, at the point of initial failure as determined by the experiment. The stiffness reduction coefficient after failure is determined by parameter study to minimize the errors between test and analysis. Using these failure criteria, the analysis results for the scale-size specimens and actual-size cylindrical structures, with different stacking sequence, matched.