Low-Velocity Impact and Residual Burst-Pressure Analysis of Cylindrical Composite Pressure Vessels

Abstract

An impact analysis and residual burst-pressure analysis of a cylindrical composite pressure vessel were performed. The composite damage model considering the Weibull distribution of the composite strengths was derived based on continuum damage mechanics to consider the progression of the impact damages. The damage model was used for the intralamina damages. Damage parameters based on the Hashin criteria were used for the prediction of the composite damage. The cohesive zone model was used to consider the delamination. The damage model was implemented in the user material subroutine of the ABAQUS/explicit program, VUMAT. The numerical analyses were performed using the ABAQUS/explicit program coupled with the proposed composite damage model. The impact and bursting tests of the cylindrical composite pressure vessels were also performed to investigate the effect of the impact damages on the residual burst pressure. The impact behaviors, impact damages, and residual burst pressures from the numerical analysis were compared with the test data to verify the damage model and analysis method. They were comparable to the test data. The damage mechanism due to the impact and the most critical factors affecting the reduction of the burst pressure were investigated based on the numerical analysis.