Analytical modeling and analysis of the low-velocity penetration and non-penetration behaviors of fiber-reinforced composite cylindrical shells based on critical impact velocity criterion

An analytical model is developed to predict the impact characteristic parameters of composite cylindrical shells when low-velocity penetration and non-penetration damage are considered. The critical impact velocity criterion for judging the penetrating failure of such structures is also proposed. The impact contact force, displacement, and load-displacement curve of the structure subjected to oblique non-penetrating impact loading are solved using the improved Hertz contact theory, cumulative damage theory, stiffness degradation method, etc. Based on the formula derivation of critical impact velocity, the key impact parameters are solved, such as the residual velocity of the projectile and damage area of the structure with penetrating impact, which takes into account three energy absorption mechanisms, such as delamination, laminating crushing and linear momentum transfer. A series of non-penetrating and penetrating impact tests are conducted using a low-velocity drop hammer rig and a light gas gun. The prediction results of the proposed model are compared to both experimental and literature results. One can find out that the largest prediction errors of the peaks of impact contact force and displacement deformation are 12.3 and 9.2 %, respectively, and the counterparts of residual velocity and damage area are 12.0 and 6.2 %, respectively. Hence, the present model is trustworthy for predicting these impact parameters. Moreover, it is advised to adopt an appropriate stacking sequence, a high ratio of structural thickness to radius, a large oblique impact angle of the projectile, and a small mass ratio of the projectile to such a structure to enhance its impact resistance or reduce impact response. In addition, it is worth noting that the current model probably has a big prediction error of the high-velocity impact behaviors involving the material heating and soft effects caused by penetration damage since high strain rate and temperature effects are not considered.