A new numerical approach for low velocity impact response of multiscale-reinforced nanocomposite plates

Abstract

In this paper, the low velocity impact analysis of carbon nanotube (CNT)/carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced hybrid nanocomposite plates is presented using variational differential quadrature (VDQ) method due to its numerical essence and the framework of implementation. The hybrid nanocomposite plate deformation is formulated based on classical plate theory and the contact force between the plate and projectile is estimated using Hertzian contact law. Also, a new micromechanics approach is presented to calculate the effective mechanical properties of the CNT/CF polymer hybrid nanocomposites. Five important factors including, random orientation and random distribution of CNTs, CNT/polymer interphase region, waviness and transversely isotropic behavior of CNT are incorporated in the micromechanical analysis. The accuracy of the present approach is verified with the available open literature results showing a clear agreement. The effects of various factors such as volume fraction and non-straight shape of CNT, CNT/polymer interphase region, CF volume fraction, random and regular arrangement of CFs, plate geometrical parameters and impactor velocity on the low velocity impact behavior of the CNT/CF-reinforced hybrid nanocomposite plates are studied.