An inverse solution for low-velocity impact in composite plates

An inverse model for estimating the mass and velocity of the impactor in low-velocity impact of composite plates is presented. In the model, a least-squares optimization technique is used to optimally reconstruct the force–time history by comparing direct model simulations of the impact response with experimental measurements. Guidelines for better initial guesses and faster direct models that are based on an impact characterization procedure are provided to the inverse algorithm. Three sets of experimental data covering a wide range of impact response are used to validate the model with excellent results.