Theoretical, numerical and experimental analysis of equilateral hexagonal and triangular composite plates subjected to high-velocity impact

Based on Lagrangian strain theory, the Tsai-Wu, Hill failure criterion model, and differential quadrature method (DQM), a theoretical solution is introduced to determine the crack location and predicted the fracture areas of ten-layer equilateral hexagonal and triangular composite plates subjected to an impact load of a spherical projectile with an initial velocity of 280 m/s. Experimental tests and numerical simulation by Ls-Dyna software are introduced to verify the results of the theoretical solution. Four types of ply-angle orientations, like [0 2 /90 3 ] s , [0 4 ,90] s , [36/36/72/−72/−36] s , and [0/72/−36/36/−72] s are considered as types A , B , C and D , respectively. The results indicate that the failure area of the hexagonal plate on the front surface is more than the triangular plate. Moreover, types D , B , A and C have the highest levels of failure area on the front surface of the plate, respectively. Furthermore, more damage occurs on the back surface of the plates and the failure area of the triangular plate on the back surface is more than that of the hexagonal. In addition, types C , A , D and B have the highest levels of failure area on the back surface of the plate, respectively. Furthermore, the triangular plate has a high ability to absorb energy because the escape velocity of the projectile is reduced more than that of the hexagonal.