Numerical study of shell structures under low velocity impact

The paper involves numerical study on the dynamic response of plain and laminated composite plate and shell structures subjected to low velocity impact. Updated Lagrangian approach is adopted in the formulation of the governing equation for contact impact problems. Penalty method is used to derive the contact stiffness and contact force for degenerated nine-node shell elements. Numerical results from three examples involving plain and composite plate and shell structures under low velocity impact demonstrated the validity of the approach adopted in present study.