Low-velocity oblique impact response of pre-twisted sandwich conical shell with CNTRC facings

Abstract

A finite element approach coupled with higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT) is employed to investigate the dynamic responses of cantilever pre-twisted sandwich conical shells with carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (CNTRC) facings and homogeneous core under low-velocity oblique impact. The carbon nanotubes reinforcement in the facings follows either uniform or functionally graded distribution along its thickness direction. A refined rule of mixture is utilised to evaluate the effective elastic properties of the nanocomposite facings. The derived dynamic equilibrium equations are based on Hamilton’s principle, while the contact force between the spherical impactor and the target sandwich shell is formulated using the modified Hertzian contact law. The solution of the resulting equations in the time domain is obtained using Newmark time integration method. After accomplishing the validity of the present model, some numerical examples are furnished to analyse the influences of important parameters on the impact responses of the nanocomposite sandwich conical shell.