On the residual compressive strength of the glass-epoxy tubes subjected to transverse impact loading

This experimental study discusses the effects of the tube diameter and the impact energy level on the impact and compression after impact behaviors of [+/- 55](3) filament-wound glass/epoxy composite tubes. Four different tube diameters were selected as 50, 75, 100, and 150 mm. The composite tubes were subjected to various impact energy levels, 15, 20, and 25J, using an instrumented impact testing machine at room temperature. Impacted and nonimpacted samples were subjected to axial compression tests. Results indicated that both specimen diameter and impact energy highly affect the impact response and compression-after impact strength of composite tubes.