An assessment of the residual strength of an impact-damaged carbon fibre reinforced epoxy

Fracture mechanics principles have been applied to a carbon fibre reinforced epoxy to assess its post-impact load-bearing capability in tension. Low-velocity impact loading has been shown to generate large zones of fibre fracture. By modelling this region of fibre damage as a sharp crack with equivalent transverse dimensions, the residual strength of a number of damaged carbon fibre reinforced plastic laminates has been analysed. This technique has then been extended to yield a lower bound in the residual strength versus impact energy curves. The applicability of the technique has been further assessed by applying it to data generated from high-velocity impact tests.