Impact Response of Laminated Composite Simply-Supported Stiffened Conoidal Shell With Cut-Out

Abstract

Laminated composite has become popular in the weight sensitive branches of engineering. In recent times it is widely used in civil engineering as roofing entity. It has advantages like low specific weight, high specific strength, weathering resistance and can be tailored as per the user. Despite these advantages low transverse shear capacity under impact loading compelled researchers to conduct further research for its successful implementation industrial sectors. Impact, which is likely to occur in cyclone prone zones and aircraft bases where wind borne debris causes the same. Impact causes delamination, cracks in epoxy medium or tearing of fibers which remains suppressed under lamina and causes eventual failures. Conoidal shells used as roofing entity is often provided with cut-outs for accommodation of utilities. Concentration of stresses in discontinuous edges may cause unacceptable deformation and stress concentration. Stiffeners become unavoidable in certain cases to lower the stress generated around cut-outs. Incorporation of proper contact law is important for impact analysis. Literature survey reveals that conoidal shell is an interesting roofing entity and needs to be studied for its confident application. Present study is an effort to investigate the impact behaviour of such conoidal shell roof.