Tensile properties of plane woven composite laminates after low velocity impact

The tensile properties of two kinds of plane woven composite laminates after low velocity impact were studied by experiment. And an FEM model was established to simulate the damage growth in the laminates. In this model, the low velocity impact damage area was equivalent to a soft zone with a regular shape, both different damage criterions and modulus attenuation rules were used for two different ply forms. The results of the FEM model show good agreement with the experimental data. It means that this model can be used to predict the damage growth behavior and residual tensile strength of plane woven laminates with impact damage. The impacted plane woven composite laminates with different ply forms possess different damage propagation ways. The tensile strength after low velocity impact of plane woven laminates decreases over 50%. These results should be considered in designing the composite structure.