Study of the Experimental Low Velocity Impact Phenomenon on Carbon Composites to Support Numerical Simulations

Low velocity impact tests were carried out on carbon fibre reinforced plastic laminates at complete penetration at different energy levels at the aim to investigate about the damage initiation and propagation. Some of the specimens were destined to CAI tests and the residual strength was evaluated. The laminates were fabricated by a new vacuum assisted technology labelled as "pulse infusion". All the experimental results, after analysing, were used to assist the numerical simulation. By the comparison, good agreements were found.