Numerical and experimental investigation of the wave distribution in fibre reinforced composite materials

In the present contribution numerical and experimental investigations of the wave distribution caused by an impact are highlighted. The study is targeted at a non-destructive evaluation of threshold values at fibre reinforced materials and at the investigation of the effects of the wave distribution on the subsequent fracture in such materials. Furthermore, the understanding of the wave distribution is essential to develop a system for detection and localization of the impact spot as well as for an assessment of the impact energy and the impact force history. For this, the deformation states after an impact are monitored and analysed quasi-continuously until the declination of the respective deformation waves to zero by stress optical procedures and by holografic interferometry. Parallel to the experimental work the wave distribution has been simulated by the finite element method.