-

In this article the destructive effects of low velocity impact on the residual compressive strength of composite plates with three different size studies. Using a closed from solution and a finite element method the mechanical behavior of the composite plates under impact loading is simulated. Using an experimental program, the results of simulation are evaluated. The composite plates are subjected to impact loading and then they are tested under compression loading conditions. The results of experiments show that the size of the damaged area decreases by increasing the size of the specimen. Therefore, in the real situation that the size of the structure in greater than that of the test specimen, the magnitude of damage is supposed to be smaller. Using Hertz method the magnitude of the impact loading is calculated. The damage area of the impacted specimen is also calculated. By changing the mechanical properties of the
material in the damaged area the residual strength of the damaged specimen is simulated. The results obtained from simulation are in good agreement with experimental results.