Abstract: The behaviour of fibre reinforced plastic composite laminates subject to low velocity impact is investigated theoretically and experimentally. In the theoretical study, a new model was proposed for the analysis of damages in laminates due to low velocity impact. The model takes into account not only the coupling between tension and shear but also the coupling between tension and bending. A finite element programme was developed to predict the maximum impact force during impact and impact induced damages for a given impact energy. Experimentally, a drop weight equipment was designed to carrying out low velocity impact.The variation of impact force and displacement versus time was measured on the equipment. The combination of holographic nondestructive method and x-ray method can be used easily to locate the damages and show its shape and size. The numerical results agree well with the experimental data obtained in this investigation.

Key words: composite laminates, low velocity impact, damage