A methodological approach to model composite overwrapped pressure vessels under impact conditions

A combined experimental-numerical method is proposed to predict the mechanical behavior of composite overwrapped pressure vessels under impact conditions. Material characterization tests are conducted on filament-wound samples to determine the key material parameters, whilst taking into account manufacturing defects due to the production process. These material parameters serve as input for the numerical model. The model captures the cylindrical area of a pressure vessel with diminishing levels of detail away from the impactor. The performance of the model is optimized using a comparison with quasi-static indentation tests on cylinders with different thicknesses and lengths. It is shown that the mechanical behavior of a pressure vessel can be predicted accurately both under quasi-static indentation loads as well as under impact loads.