Abstract：Based on scaling rules, three 3D finite element models were established for studying scale effects on the response of composite laminated plate under low-velocity impact. In the finite element model, Modified Chang-Chang criteria was used to predict interlaminar damage in a composite plate subjected by low-velocity impact, and delamination between the ply interfaces was simulated by interface elements. Material property should be degraded once impact damage generated. Three composite laminated plates of different size under low-velocity impact were analyzed with these three finite element models, and impact response under different impact velocity was compared. According to the results，some conclusions can be obtained: If the lower impact velocity did not generate damage in the composite laminated plates, the displacement and the contact force agree with the presented scaling rules; Whereas, the contact force does not agree with the scaling rules well once the impact damage was generated, moreover, if the velocity ratio between different models was equal to the square root of their scale factor, the relative delamination size in the models was nearly the same. These conclusions were agreed with experimental results. Further investigation on the in-plane damage shows that its size is not consistent with the scaling rule.
2012, Vol. 33 
