Delamination threshold loads for low velocity impact on composite laminates

An investigation of the low velocity impact load level at which a composite laminate will delaminate is presented. The delamination threshold load is described as the load level, obtained from the load–time history or load–displacement plot, at which a sudden load drop occurs due to specimen stiffness loss as a result of laminate level damage. Approximately 500 low velocity impact load–time histories from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)...