The effect of the structure containing fluid region between composite plates under low velocity impact

The strength of composite materials under impact loading is an important issue, which are frequently used in the commercial and defense industries. In this thesis, the behavior of composite structures containing fluid region under impact loading was investigated by comparing them with structures without fluid region with the same geometry. Experimental specimens were produced by choosing the geometry of the cavity in which the fluid was trapped. Behavior under impact was investigated by applying low-velocity impact loading on test specimens which are containing fluid, fluid-free, and flat plate. The test results were compared by obtaining the loading measurements and strain measurements. While the data of impact effects on the top plate with the cavity, where the impact loading applied, were obtained by the load cell of test device. The data of impact effects on bottom plate were obtained from strain gauges. The results show that the behavior of fluid-containing and fluid-free test specimens under impact loading is significantly different. Similar behavioral differences were obtained as a result of numerical studies. It is observed that the fluid-structure interaction has a significant effect on the structure behavior. Parallel results were obtained as a result of experimental studies and numerical studies.