FEA Modelling of Thick CFRP, GFRP, and BFRP Composite Laminates Under Charpy Impact

Abstract

This study explores the impact responses of thick laminated composites, including carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP), glass fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP), and basalt fibre reinforced plastics (BFRP). Three layups were prepared using the resin infusion method: unidirectional (UD), cross-ply (CP), and angle-ply (AP). These were tested using the Charpy impact test taking the ASTM-E23 as reference. A two-scale finite-element (FE) model was developed to bridge the computational relationship between micro-scale characteristics (mechanical properties of fibre and matrix, fibre volume fraction, and layup) and macro-scale impact resistance. Results showed that the impact strength of composite laminates decreased in the order of UD, CP, and AP, while GFRP and BFRP laminates exhibited an approximately 42.2–78.3% and 90.7–187.7% increase in impact strength compared to CFRP. Reasons can be owed to the stiffness mismatch between adjacent composite plies, which contributed to the tensile and compressive energy absorption mechanisms in CP layups. Different materials and layups demonstrated distinct failure mechanisms, attributable to the better ductility of glass and basalt fibres. The conclusions of this study aim to deepen the understanding of damage and energy absorption mechanisms in thick composite laminates, thereby providing practical guidelines for structural design.