Numerical simulation of damage in fiber reinforced composite laminates under high velocity impact

A 3D rate-dependent constitutive model was developed to simulate damage of laminated polymer matrix composites under high velocity impact. The cohesive elements were involved between two layers to simulate delaminateion of the composite laminate under high velocity impact. The 3D-Hashin failure criteria were used to predict the in-plane failure of composite by replacing quasi-static strength properties with rate-dependent strength properties. By using a degradation constitutive model, the main damage modes of the composite laminates which were delamination, matrix crack and fiber breakage were simulated. Parametric studies show that the prediction of the residual velocities agree well with the experimental results, and reducing diameter of the projectile or increasing ply angle and target thickness will reduce the damage area of the composite laminates under high velocity impact.