Rubber Ball Impacts on Composite Plates Investigation by 3D Correlation

Aircraft structures and wings should endure tyre debris impacts. Therefore, numerical simulations which are able to predict such phenomena are highly appreciated for the aircraft structures design. However these simulations have to be developed, tuned and validated by means of experimental data. Nowadays, full-scale tests are widely used. However, they include too complex mechanisms, which are difficult to consider in a process of model development. Besides, these experiments are extremely expensive. In this work, we are dealing with a simplified experimental set-up with elementary boundary conditions. Namely, we are experimentally investigating rubber balls’ impact on composites panels. The main novelty is the use of 3D-stereo correlation technique.

Digital Image Stereo-Correlation Applied to the Identification of Elastomers

As a complement to classic characterization in the identification of elastomers, full-field measurement methods such as image stereo correlation can undeniably contribute to the validation of elastomeric connection behaviour. Indeed, these measurements enable three-dimensional displacement and strains fields over the totality of the studied surface to be finely reached. Characterization tests in shearing on an elastomer were followed by image stereocorrelation up to high strain levels. The experimental results could thus be confronted with theoretical results using an Alexander hyperelastic behaviour law, which enabled the relevance of this law to be validated locally.