Study on Stacking Sequence of Plies in Green Sandwiches for Low Velocity Impact Application

Abstract

The present paper deals with optimizing the stacking sequence configuration of flexible green composite for cladding application under low velocity impact regime. Initially six configurations of green composite comprising of jute fiber and natural rubber matrix are considered and their energy absorption behaviour and resistance to impact are studied using finite element analysis. The configurations considered are optimized for energy absorption and maximum contact force under low velocity impact condition. From the results it can be concluded that the variation in energy absorbed and sp. energy absorbed among the configurations are negligible and hence the configurations are prioritized based on contact force. JRJRJ configuration provides maximum contact force followed by JRJ, JRRJ, RJRJR, RJRJ and RJR. The configurations with rank 1, 2 and 3 should be taken into consideration for further analysis. Also the damage study shows that the stacking sequence with jute on impact side is better compared to rubber on impact side as tearing type of damage can be observed in sequences with rubber on impact side and no damage is visible with jute on impact side.