Study on the impact resistance of bio‐inspired Bouligand‐type CFRP under repeated impacts

Abstract This study investigates the repeated impact resistance of CFRP laminates with a bio‐inspired Bouligand structure. Three types of specimens, quasi‐isotropic (QI), single‐twisted (SB), and double‐twisted (DB) Bouligand stacking sequences, were fabricated and tested for low‐velocity impact (LVI) experiments under impact energy ranging from 20 to 40 J. Test results and interlaminar damage features identified by the Ultrasonic C‐scan technique were used to validate the FE model. The impact resistance of DB with a smaller pitch angle outperformed the SB and QI specimens in terms of specific energy absorption capacity and peak load. Meanwhile, repeated LVI responses were simulated to investigate the effect of the pitch angle of a double‐twisted structure on the energy absorption capacity and damage accumulation. Highlights Bouligand type bionic strategy can improve the impact resistance of laminates. Effect of twisted configuration on resistance to repeated impact was clarified. Lowering the pitch angle can considerably increase the energy absorption capacity.