A STUDY ON LOW-VELOCITY IMPACT DAMAGE OF Z-PIN REINFORCED LAMINATES

Based on the low-velocity impact test, 4 major modes of low-velocity impact damage including delamination and matrix cracking were taken into account FEM simulation. By using appropriate failure criterion, the low-velocity impact damage of z-pin reinforced laminates can be identified. The results of FEM simulation indicate that z-pin made the area of delaminations reduced by approximate 50% and were in good agreement with the experimental C-scan results.