Experimental Investigation of Quasi-Static and Dynamic Impact Resistance in Thin Wood Veneer Laminates

The incorporation of sustainability into the design of transport vehicles has become increasingly important in recent years. A low carbon footprint makes wood-based structures attractive to replace other lightweight materials such as aluminum or fiber-reinforced plastics. This paper investigates and compares the static and dynamic impact behavior of thin Beech wood veneer laminates in standardized mechanical tests. The results obtained from Quasi-Static Indentation (QSI) and dynamic Low-Velocity Impact (LVI) tests reveal similarities and differences with regard to load vs. displacement behavior, damage mechanisms, permanent deformation, and energy absorption. While yield strength and damage modes are comparable in both test cases, it is found that the bending stiffness is strain-rate sensitive. Plastic deformation in compression is identified as the governing mechanism for energy absorption. These results can guide the design of sustainable wood-based structures for future transport applications where a thorough understanding of impact and crashworthiness is important.