Nonlinear low-velocity impact of MEE cylindrical shells under axial motion

Magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) materials, renowned for their multi-field coupling effects and exceptional energy interconversion capabilities, have become pivotal in advanced technologies such as aerospace, geological exploration, and biomedical engineering. Despite their broad applications, the nonlinear dynamic behavior of geometrically imperfect MEE cylindrical shells subjected to simultaneous axial motion and low-velocity impacts remains unexplored. To address this gap, this study establishes a comprehensive theoretical framework. First, the displacement field is formulated using Love's thin-shell theory, explicitly incorporating initial geometric imperfections. Next, Maxwell's equations are integrated into the constitutive relations, yielding a coupled magneto-electro-elastic model that accounts for material imperfections. The governing equations are then derived via Hamilton's variational principle and solved numerically through the Galerkin method combined with the fourth-order Runge-Kutta algorithm. Furthermore, rigorous comparative analysis and convergence verification in this study ensure the reliability of the results. Eventually, parametric studies are conducted to elucidate the effects of shell geometry, impactor characteristics, and environmental factors on the dynamic response, specifically focusing on the evolution of contact force and profiles of central deflection. Although this study provides new theoretical insights into low-velocity impact issues in aerospace and related fields, its applicability to high-velocity impact scenarios remains to be verified.