Preliminary analysis method for FRP laminate impact damage size prediction

Low velocity impact damage on carbon reinforced polymer laminate composites has been identified as a key threat to airframe structural integrity since it reduces the strength under compressive loading. Airworthiness certification specifications dictate that the airframe structural components up to the full scale subassemblies have to adhere to the strength and fatigue airworthiness requirements imposed whilst being damaged. The study presented herein combines a set of numerical tools for generating an approach to numerically quantify the damage size after low velocity impact on FRP laminates.