Finite element computational model was developed to simulate impact behaviour and predict the failure response of carbon fibrous composite panels subjected to low velocity drop-weight impact on the partitioned area where an impactor of flat-nosed tip hits the target. Critical damage regions under impactors' tips are very complicated phenomenon to study since internal load redistributes after impact and damage accumulates in through-the-thickness plies. Transformation of mathematical

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... into numerical model and writing modular code also need extensive efforts and time. However, efficient way of solving the problems using commercial software generated simulations. For this work, commercially available software ABAQUS TM was selected, which incorporates shell elements and stacks of plies. The user Table option of the software provides an extended amount of input data without having to re-link the code that could be utilised for various load cases. Model developing and simulation techniques associated with the software usage are presented herein. The developed models are capable to simulate impact phenomena of various drop weights for parametric studies. The methodology applied consists of computing in-plane stresses from the model and using Trapezium rule to calculate transverse shear stresses from the standard equilibrium equations. The method is simple and efficient to predict equivalent 3-D transverse shear stresses from a 2-D model. These predicted and calculated stresses were used in failure theories to predict possible failure modes. Some of the results from failure threshold loads were selected and included in the form of tables, contour plots and graphs.