Prediction of the Low-Velocity Collision Response Characterization of a Plate Structure Considering the Strain...

The prediction of the low-velocity collision response of a plate has substantial engineering significance. This paper presents a study to predict the low-velocity collision response characterization of a plate considering the strain hardening effect struck by a rigid sphere. To investigate the efficiency of the collision characterization diagram (CCD) based on the theoretical contact stiffness in characterizing the collision response case and calculating the maximum collision force, the intensive collision cases considering the strain hardening effect are implemented by the finite element (FE) method. It shows that CCD is inaccurate for the collision cases, considering the strain hardening effect. To modify CCD, a new contact stiffness is proposed to replace the theoretical contact stiffness. A universal analytical expression of the new contact stiffness is presented according to the intensive FE simulations for a wide range of materials of a plate, considering the strain hardening effect. A modified collision characterization diagram (MCCD) is then proposed by using the new contact stiffness, which makes up for the deficiencies of CCD. MCCD is validated by the FE simulations with different collision energies, plate materials, and structural constraints. The results show that MCCD can accurately and quickly predict the response case and the maximum collision force.