Finite Element Analysis of Impact-Induced Damage in Pressurized Hybrid Composites Pipes

Abstract

The high mechanical performance of filament wound hybrid composite pipes can be adversely affected by their low resistance to accidental impact. Loads of dynamic origin are dangerous and cause consequences on the operation of pipes because the damage is often not detected and can affect the structural integrity of composite pipes. In this work, a finite element (FE) model of pressurized hybrid composite pipe is developed and performed to predict the damage initiation and evolution under low-velocity impact through simulations with ABAQUS/Explicit. Hashin’s failure theory is used as failure criterion. At the first stage, load–time histories, and impactor displacement time limits are estimated in an FE model. The numerical results are confronted with the experimental values published in the literature. Once the model was validated, damage initiation and propagation were analyzed, where it is observed that damage mainly occurs by matrix cracking, damage evolution in the matrix in tension, compression and shear are presented and discussed in detail.