Numerical analysis of the low-velocity impact resistance of shape memory alloy-glass fiber/epoxy resin composites under vibrating boundary condition

Effect of the vibrating boundary condition on resistance of shape memory alloy (SMA)-glass fiber/epoxy resin composites subjected to low-velocity impact was investigated by finite element method (FEM). Hashin's failure criterion and Brinson's model were implemented into FEM to characterize the constitutive relations of glass fiber/epoxy resin laminates and SMA, respectively. Fixed boundary condition was maintained in simulation to verify the accuracy of material parameters and procedures by comparing with impact experiment of SMA-glass fiber/epoxy resin composite. A series of vibrating boundaries with amplitudes were applied during the simulation process to reveal the effect on impact resistances. The simulation results indicate that the impact resistance of the composite without SMA under large amplitude is lower than that under small amplitude; as for SMA-glass fiber/epoxy resin composite, the impact resistance is higher.