Numerical Investigation of the Effects of Impactor Geometry on Impact Behavior of Sandwich Structures

The aim of this study is to examine the impact performance and damage behavior of sandwich composite structures with a core material of aluminum and a facesheet of glass fiber composites using the finite element method. In the study, the effects of impactor shape, impact velocity and number of core layers on peak force, absorbed energy efficiency, maximum displacement and damage deformation were examined. For low velocity impact simulation, progressive damage analysis was performed based on the Hashin damage criterion using the MAT 54 material model in the LS DYNA finite element program. While providing the connection between the core structure and its surfaces, a Cohesive Zone Model (CZM) based on the bilinear traction-separation law was created and examined. At the end of the study, it was determined that the shape of the impactor had a significant effect on impact resistance. Energy absorption efficiency may vary as impact energy changes. However, as the impact energy increases, the energy absorption efficiency increases. It was determined that the largest and dominant damage type for all three impactors was matrix damage.