Ice-ball impact analysis method and verification of three-dimensional braided composites based on surface unit-cell and interior unit-cell modeling

Abstract

The high-speed ice-ball impact damage research of epoxy resin/carbon fiber 3D four-way braided composites was carried out. Using the air gun impact test system, ice balls with three different impact velocities were used to conduct impact tests. After the test, industrial CT scans were performed on the main damage positions of the test pieces, and the internal damage forms were observed. The composite macro constitutive model based on surface unit-cell and interior unit-cell and a strain rate related material model of the ice were used to establish the finite element model. The simulation model was compared with the test. The results show that the damage of the matrix in the surface unit-cell area is more serious than that in the interior unit-cell area, the damage area of the front surface is generally larger than that of the back surface, the oblique impact angle has an influence on the damage area and damage location. As the impact angle decreases, the damage area of the composite material also decreases. Increasing the thickness of plate can improve the ability to absorb energy and reduce the damage area of the material.

Keywords

• three-dimensional braided composites
• ice-ball impact
• unit cell
• numerical analysis