Nonlinear finite element analysis of composite shell under impact

Large deflection dynamic responses of laminated composite cylindrical shells under impact are analyzed by the geometrically nonlinear finite element method based on a generalized Sander’s shell theory with the first order transverse shear deformation and the von-Karman large deflection assumption. A modified indentation law with inelastic indentation is employed for the contact force. The nonlinear finite element equations of motion of shell and an impactor along with the contact laws are solved numerically using Newmark’s time marching integration scheme in conjunction with Akay type successive iteration in each step. The ply failure region of the laminated shell is estimated using the Tsai-Wu quadratic interaction criteria. Numerical results, including the contact force histories, deflections and strains are presented and compared with the ones by linear analysis. The effect of the radius of curvature on the composite shell behaviors is investigated and discussed.