A novel impact approach based on electromagnetic loading technology: A case study on CFRP/Al riveted structures

To investigate the mechanical response and damage behavior of aircraft fuselage composite structures under out-of-plane impact loads more efficiently and flexibility, this paper proposed a novel impact approach and testing platform based on inductive coils to yield electromagnetic impact force. The influence of system key parameters on the electromagnetic loading waveforms were analyzed using an electromagnetic field finite element model. Single/repeated impact tests on CFRP/aluminium alloy (Al) riveted structures were conducted at different voltages (energies) based on this approach. The results indicate that the electromagnetic impact (EMI) approach exhibits significant advantages in both variable strain rate loading and continuous impact loading scenarios. This device can efficiently achieve multi-point and multiple impact loading. The electromagnetic impact forces with various amplitudes and pulse-widths can be accurately obtained by altering voltage and capacitance values, which can demonstrate the good experimental consistency of such test approach. Besides, with this test method, the load threshold for damage formation can be clearly defined: once the impact force exceeds the damage threshold load, the delamination area of the CFRP laminates expand as the impact energy increases. Note that when the provided out-of-plane impact load is slightly higher than the damage threshold load by changing the voltage, significant delamination damage may suddenly manifest in any one impact event of the repeated impacts.