Abstract
The objective of this study was to construct a finite element (FE) model for a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) club shaft which was capable of representing mechanical properties of a fiber and matrix, a laminated constitution and a fiber orientation angle, and to estimate the dynamic behavior of a golf club with a CFRP shaft during the swing. The FE model of a CFRP shaft with orthotopic elasticity was constructed using four-node shell elements. The fiber orientation angle was set by constructing a local coordinate system in each element of the shaft model. Mechanical properties of a prepreg composites were determined using the rule of mixture which was defined by volume fraction of fiber and resin. The simulation results generally matched the experimental results for the bending and torsional tests, respectively. It was indicated that the results for the swing simulation had the potential to clarify the influence of mechanical properties of clubs on the club behavior during swing and the impact conditions.
