Limits of asymptotic solutions in low-velocity impact of composite plates

This paper presents a study of the low velocity impact response of composite plates by using dimensional analysis and lumped-parameter models. Simple analytical expressions are obtained and used to construct a characterization diagram that shows the relationship between the maximum normalized impact force and two non-dimensional parameters. For a given impact event, it is shown that the non-dimensional parameters can be obtained by analytical, computational or experimental methods. Once these parameters are determined, the characterization diagram can be used to estimate the type of response, and maximum impact force. Furthermore, the diagram can be used to select adequate simple models for a given impact situation. It is shown that these simple models provide very good approximations of the impact response for a pre-determined wide range of impact parameters.