A reverse engineering approach for modeling of barely visible impact damage by combining results of non-destructive testing and numerical simulations

Abstract

An evaluation of the structural residual life for composite elements affected by low-velocity impact loading is a challenging task due to the uncertainty of an influence of the resulting damage on the mechanical properties of a structure, which cannot be truly assessed without destructive testing. To overcome this deficiency, an approach based on reverse engineering was developed. Within this approach the results of non-destructive testing (NDT) are considered, namely the results of X-ray computed tomography as well as ultrasonic testing in B- and C-scan modes, for an evaluation of the geometrical properties of damage as well as the results of numerical simulations of impact testing of the composite were used to support the experimental results. Based on the obtained results, the generic shapes of barely visible impact damage (BVID) in composite structures were determined, and based on the generic shapes and the obtained relations between the damage extent and the impact energy, a parametric computer-aided design models were developed. The obtained models allow predicting the structural response, including the estimation of the residual life of composite structures in finite element simulation environments.