Numerical-experimental correlation of composite laminates for automotive applications

Lightweight design, structural performance and safety requirements represent the reference tasks for the development of innovative cars. For these reasons, both composites and Finite Element (FE) modelling have been widely employed in the last years. This study illustrates a numerical-experimental correlation methodology for Carbon Fibre Reinforcement Plastic (CFRP) laminates employed in a front Maserati hood. At first, an elastic-plastic material law is assessed for orthotropic shells using the Crash Survivability (CRASURV) nonlinear formulation, and a card material is compiled. A wide experimental campaign is performed according to the ASTM standards. Therefore, tensile, compression, shear, inter-laminar shear strength tests and drop weight tests are mandatory for the evaluation of the material properties and its failure modes. Finally, nonlinear forecasts of head impact on the hood are examined, and a preliminary numerical-experimental correlation is presented.