Analytical model for delamination growth during small mass impact on plates

An analytical model is presented for delamination initiation and growth and the resulting response during small mass impact on orthotropic laminated composite plates, which typically is caused by runway debris and other small objects. The solution is obtained by a fast stepwise numerical solution of a single integral equation. Delamination size, load and deflection history are predicted by extension of an earlier elastic impact model by the author. Good agreement is demonstrated in comparisons with finite element simulations and experiments. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.