Numerical Prediction and Experimental Verification of Dynamic Deflection Responses of Damaged Hybrid (<i>Luffa</i>- and Carbon-Nanotube-Reinforced) Polymeric Composite Panel Structure

The deflection responses of the nanotube- and Luffa-reinforced hybrid polymeric composite have been investigated in this paper with and without damage effect. The mathematical model is derived using higher-order kinematics and solved numerically with the help of isoparametric finite element steps. In addition, the influences of crack type of damage have also been introduced mathematically and solved to obtain the desired responses. The numerical model’s consistency and validity are established initially by solving a few numerical examples that consider the material and geometrical properties to be the same as the references. Further, the correctness of the model is revisited by comparing the results with in-house experimental data. The reference and numerical data have a maximum deviation of 5.19%, which falls within the acceptable range. The current numerical model efficacy can be seen from the comparison of the results. Finally, a few numerical examples are solved considering the variable geometry parameters and nanotube volume fractions. The influences of material and geometrical parameters on the structural final strength and the deflection parameters due to transient loadings are enumerated in detail.