Impact Resistant Composite Materials for Structural Applications

This book deals with the introduction of various kinds of advanced composite materials such as carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP), aramid fiber-reinforced polymer (AFRP), basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP), natural fiber-reinforced polymer (NFRP), hybrid composites, and functionally graded composite systems for impact resistant applications. This book covers the merits and demerits of these advanced composite materials with regard to their applications for impact resistance. Primary modes of failure under impact loading such as delamination, matrix cracking, and fiber ruptures are discussed. The primary advantages, such as high specific strength and stiffness of these advanced composite materials for fabrication of efficient, durable, and impact resilient structural elements, are presented. The effect of combining various kinds of fibers to make hybrid composites as well as functionally graded composites for high impact loading conditions is discussed. Furthermore, the effect of stacking sequence of laminas in a structural laminate under impact loading is presented. In addition, energy absorption capacity of various kinds of structural laminate is compared, and relative advantages of composites are presented in detail. The book also covers details of analytical, numerical, and experimental responses under impact conditions. Moreover, relevant failure theories to predict the failure characteristics of advanced composite panels under impact loads are presented.