A Strain-rate Dependant Micromechanical Finite Element Model for High-velocity Impacts on Laminated Composite Plates

Abstract

A novel multi-scale numerical model for the simulation of high-velocity impacts on laminated composite plates is developed, which encompasses a micromechanics module for the accurate assessment of damage initiation and growth in the individual composite micromechanical constituents and for the efficient inclusion of strain rate effects into the analysis. A series of woven carbon/epoxy plate specimens impacted by steel ball impactors of high velocities and energies reaching and exceeding the ballistic limit (m=110 g, v=60-100 m/s, E=200-500 J) are also investigated. Ultimately, key impact simulation results, such as the ballistic limit and induced impact damage, are correlated with representative experimental results, demonstrating the validity of the proposed impact model.