Abstract
A numerical method is presented to investigate the dynamic response of uniform orthotropic beams subjected to an impact of a mass. Higher order shear deformation and rotary inertia are included in the analysis of the beams. The impactor and laminated composite beam are treated as a system. The nonlinear differential governing equations of motion are then derived based on the Lagrange principle and modified nonlinear contact law, and solved numerically. The solution procedure is applicable to arbitrary boundary conditions. Numerical results are compared with those available in the literature to demonstrate the validity of the method, and very good agreement is achieved. The effects of boundary conditions on the contact force, contact duration, stress distributions, and beam deflection are discussed.