The existing problems in toughened resin evaluation technology, particularly the disadvantage of the toughened resin identification method by CAI, is pointed out based on the point of view of composite structure design. It is proposed to evaluate the toughness of composites by both damage resistance and damage tolerance. Seven different toughness composites are investigated by impact and quasi\|static indentation tests. Based on experimental data analysis, the parameter that is most sensitive to the damage resistance is determined as the damage parameter. The parameter to evaluate the damage resistance and its measuring method are proposed.
On the basis ofa 2D 4-node Mindlin shell element method, a novel self-adapting delamination finite element method is presented, which is developed to model the delamination damage of composite laminates. In the method, the sublaminate elements are generated automatically when the delamination damage occurs or extends. Thus, the complex process and state of delamination damage can be simulated practically with high efficiency for both analysis and modeling. Based on the self-adapting delamination method, linear dynamic finite element damage analysis is performed to simulate the low-velocity impact damage process of three types of mixed woven composite laminates. Taking the frictional force among sublaminations during delaminating and the transverse normal stress into account, the analytical results are consistent with those of the experimental data.
