The influence of the internal pressure on the residual strength of composite-overwrapped pressure vessels subjected to external contact loading

In this paper, the influence of the internal pressure on the damage resistance of composite overwrapped pressure vessels due to contact loading is studied experimentally. Pressure vessels with different internal pressures are loaded quasi-statically using an indenter. The damage is evaluated by use of computed tomography scans. Subsequently, the residual burst pressure is determined. The damage resistance is shown to increase for an increasing internal pressure during impact. In order to assist future experimental programs, a numerical model that can predict both the mechanical response and the initiated damage for pressurized vessels is exploited.