Numerical and experimental investigations of compressed stiffened composite panel with local impact damage

A computing technology of the numerical simulations based on Abaqus code is presented in this paper for complex analysis of the uniaxial compressed stiffened composite panel, having local impact damage. The technology allows simulating both dynamic deformations of the panel subjected to local impact and followed up by an axial static compression. A reliability of the developed computing technology is confirmed by comparison and closeness of the obtained numerical results and experimental data. Discrepancy of values obtained by the simulation from the corresponding experimental data is 8% for maximum contact force between the panel and impactor, 7% for crack length on the opposite to the impact side of the panel and 10% for ultimate force, when the initially damaged panel is in compression. Also, the acceptable qualitative similarity of the modeled fracture mechanism and the shape to that observed in the experiments is observed.