Computational Analysis of Compressed Stiffened Composite Panels with Impact Damage

A complex modeling technique is presented in this paper for a numerical analysis of compressed stiffened composite panels with impact damage. The numerical technique is based on the LS-Dyna code application, which simulates both the dynamic deformation of the panel subjected to a local impact and the quasi-static uniform compression of the panel within the local damage zone. The technique has been validated by both impact and compression experimental tests of the stiffened composite panel. The obtained numerical results show that impact damage to the composite panel can reduce the carrying capacity in more than 50% of damaged panels compared to undamaged panels.