Numerical Modelling of Low Velocity Impact in GFRP-Woven and GMT Composites
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Date
2018
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Due to their draping, stiffness, improved ductility, and damage tolerance properties woven and
mat composites are being increasingly used for the construction of crash-relevant structural parts
like in the automotive industry.
Composite materials are susceptible to low-velocity impact and the induced damage substantially
reduces the residual mechanical performance and safe-service life. Due to this low-velocity
impact, failure of structures, properties injuries and death are the main problem. Finding novel
material and study the energy absorption capacity is the solution expect from material researchers.
Finite element simulation of GMT and GFRP is based on ASTM – Designation D7136M-15. The
constitutive models for intralaminar modes were incorporated into the ABAQUS/Explicit FE code
by user-defined VUMAT material subroutines.
The impact and stiffness behavior of Glass Mat Thermoplastic (GMT) and Glass fiber reinforced
plastics (GFRP) are studied. GFRP has the different label of Cloisite® 20B nano clay, i.e., pristine,
0.5%, 1%, and 2% nano clay were investigated. The result shows the addition of nano-clay with
0.5% and 1% nano clay increase the stiffness while adding of nan clay with 2% decrease the
stiffness of GFRP.
Based on the stress concentration, damage in adding of nano-clay with 0.5 % shows poor tolerance
as it has high-stress penetration. While adding nano-clay with 2% shows good resistance. Adding
1% nano clay has high stress concentration area and leads to high damage area. The energy
absorption of 0.5% nano-clay is greater than 1% and 2% nano-clay while energy absorption of 2
% and 1% nano-clay is lower than the energy absorption capacity of pristine. From all observations
of results, the best performance of material obtained in energy absorption is by loading Glass fiber
reinforced polymer with 0.5% Cloisite® 20B nano-clay. The comparison of GMT and GFRP –
woven composites, based on reaction force vs time graph the GMT composites fail firstly than
GFRP woven composites of all clay label. Comparison of reaction force and displacement for
Vumat and without Vumat done for pristine material.
Description
Keywords
Cloisite® 20B, nano-clay, Glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP), Glass mat thermoplastic (GMT)