Low-Velocity Impact Dynamic Behavior of Laminated Composite Nonprismatic Folded Plate Structures

In this paper, the higher-order shear deformation theory is used to study the response of graphite/epoxy laminated composite nonprismatic folded plates subjected to impact loads. A finite-element model of the theory is also developed. The modified Hertzian contact law incorporated within the Newton–Raphson method is used to calculate the contact force between the impactor and the laminated plate. For time integration, the Newmark direct integration was adopted. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the effects of span-to-thickness ratio, fiber angle, stacking sequence, and crank angle on the response of laminated plate subjected to impact. It is demonstrated that the results obtained from the present investigation compare well with those reported in the open literature.