Effect of low velocity impact on hybrid composite pipes orientated with different helix angles – numerical method

Abstract

In this study Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model is developed to understand the effect of low velocity impact on hybrid (Carbon/Glass/Epoxy) composite pipes which were wound using the filament winding technique in two different diameters. The results were compared with the existing experimental results and further validated FEA model was used to understand the effect of varying thickness and change of helix angle in the impact using ABAQUS tool. In this FEA design, composite pipe was modelled with the orientation of (CG90/CG60) for varying thicknesses (2.67mm, 4mm, 5.3mm and 6mm) and helix angles with variations as 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90° respectively. Hybrid pipe model was subjected to three different levels of impact energy namely as 20 J, 25 J and 30 J. Effect of impact studied in terms of force, deflection and energy absorbed by the specimen. The possibility of increasing in the energy absorption through increasing thickness and withstanding high impact forces and impact resistance decreasing with increase in the helix angle of orientation namely, as 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90° respectively was seen.