Numerical and experimental study of compression after impact (CAI-test) of a fabric composite with open hole defects

We examine a new approach to the computational assessment of the compressive fracture load (compression after impact, CAI) of a fabric composite with an open hole defect. The simulation takes into account the possibility of inelastic deformation of the polymer and the failure of fibers. Numerical calculations were conducted in ANSYS WB using standard material models from its library: orthotropic and isotropic elastic-plastic media. The materials used are fixed on common nodes of the finite element mesh, which ensures joint work and complex properties that are not inherent in standard material models (mFEA approach). In the experiments, STEF industrial GFRP 4 mm thick based on type E-type fibers and epoxyphenolic resin was used. Defects from a low-speed impact are replaced in the calculations by an open hole defect. The curves of nonlinear deformation and fracture obtained in the calculations are in good agreement with the experimental ones up to fracture.