Hostname: page-component-74656f9884-8r8nv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-10T14:55:03.463Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Predicting low-velocity impact damage in composites by a quasi-static load model with cohesive interface elements

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2016

X. Zhang ,
F. Bianchi  and
H. Liu
F. Bianchi
Affiliation:
Aerospace Engineering Dept, Cranfield University, Bedford, UK
H. Liu
Affiliation:
AVIC First Aircraft Institute, Xi’an, China
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the 'Save PDF' action button.

A numerical model is developed for predicting low-velocity impact damage in laminated composites. Stacked shell elements are employed to model laminate plies with discrete interface elements in pre-determined zones to model the onset and propagation of matrix cracks and delamination. These interface elements are governed by a bi-linear cohesive failure law. Cohesive element zone size is determined by a separate finite element analysis using solid elements to identify the stress concentration sites. In order to save the computational effort, low-velocity impact load is modelled by quasi-static loading. Influence of contact force induced friction on shear driven mode II delamination is modelled by a friction model. For a clustered cross-ply laminate, calculated impact force and damage area are in good agreement with the test results. It is shown that matrix cracks should be included in the model in order to simulate delamination in adjacent interface. The practical outcome of this research is a validated modelling approach that can be further improved for predicting low-velocity impact damage in other stacking sequences.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 116 , Issue 1186 , December 2012 , pp. 1367 - 1381
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2012 

References

1. Davies, G.A.O. and Olsson, R. Impact on composite structures, Aeronaut J, 2004, 108, pp 541–563.Google Scholar
2. Abrate, S. Impact on Composite Structures, Cambridge University Press, 1998.Google Scholar
3. Abrate, S. Impact on laminated composites: recent advances, Applied Mechanics Reviews, 1994, 47, pp 517–44.Google Scholar
4. Chang, F-K. and Chang, K-Y. A progressive damage model for laminated composites containing stress concentrations, J Compos Mater, 1987, 21, pp 834–855.Google Scholar
5. Choi, H.Y. and Chang, F.K. A model for predicting damage in graphite/epoxy laminated composites resulting from low-velocity point impact, J Compos Mater, 1992, 26, pp 2134–69.Google Scholar
6. Hou, J.P., Petrinic, N. and Ruiz, C. A delamination criterion for laminated composites under low-velocity impact, Compos Sci Technol, 2001, 61, pp 2069–74.Google Scholar
7. John, C.B. and Paul, A.L. Quadratic stress criterion of initiation of delamination, J Compos Mater, 1988, 22, pp 1141–55.Google Scholar
8. Bouvet, C., Castanie, B., Bizeul, M. and Barrau, J-J. Low velocity impact modelling in laminate composite panels with discrete interface elements, Int J of Solids & Structures, 2009, 46, pp 2809–2821.Google Scholar
9. Zheng, S. and Sun, C.T. A double-plate finite-element model for the impact-induced delamination problem, Compos Sci Technol, 1995, 53, pp 111–8.Google Scholar
10. Li, C.F., Hu, N., Yin, Y.J. and Sekine, H. Low-velocity impact-induced damage of continuous fibre-reinforced composite laminates, part 1: an FEM numerical model. Compos A, 2002, 33, pp 1055–62.Google Scholar
11. Aymerich, F., Dore, F. and Priolo, P. Simulation of multiple delaminations in impacted cross-ply laminates using a finite element model based on cohesive interface elements, Compos Sci Technol, 2009, 69, pp 1699–1709.Google Scholar
12. Borg, R., Nilsson, L. and Simonsson, K. Simulation of low velocity impact on fibre laminates using a cohesive zone delamination model, Compos Sci Technol, 2004, 64, pp 279–88.Google Scholar
13. Elder, D.J. and Thomson, R.S., Nguyen, M.Q. and Scott, M.L. Review of delamination predictive methods for low speed impact of composite laminates, Compos Struct, 2004, 66, pp 677–83.Google Scholar
14. Wisnom, M.R. Modelling discrete failures in composites with interface elements, Compos A, 2010, 41, pp 795–805.Google Scholar
15. Sjoblom, P.O. and Hwang, B. Compression-after-impact: the $5,000 data point, Proc 34th Int SAMPE Symposium, Reno, Nevada, USA, 8-11 May 1989, pp 1411–21.Google Scholar
16. Davies, G.A.O. and Robinson, P. Predicting failure by debonding/delamination. In: Debonding/ Delamination of Composites, AGARD-CP-530, Neuilly sur Seine, France, 1992, pp 5.1–5.28.Google Scholar
17. Davies, G.A.O. and Zhang, X. Impact damage prediction in carbon composite structures, Int J Impact Engng, 1995, 16, pp 149–170.Google Scholar
18. Olsson, R. A review of impact experiments at FFA during 1986 to 1998. The Aeronautical Research Institute of Sweden, FFA TN 1999-08, 1999.Google Scholar
19. Brindle, A. and Zhang, X. Predicting compression-after-impact performance of carbon fibre composites based on impact response, Proc of 17th Int Conf in Composite Materials (ICCM17), Edinburgh, UK, 27-31 July 2009.Google Scholar
20. Cytec Engineered Materials, Engineered Materials Technical Datasheet, www.cytec.com (accessed June 2007).Google Scholar
21. Wiggenraad, J.F.M., Zhang, X. and Davies, G.A.O. Impact damage prediction and failure analysis of heavily loaded, blade-stiffened composite wing panels, Compos Struct, 1999, 45, pp 81–103.Google Scholar
22. Sjoblom, P.O., Hartness, J.T. and Cordell, T.M. On low-velocity impact testing of composite materials, J Compos Mater, 1988, 22, pp 30–52.Google Scholar
23. ABAQUS User’s Guide, Version 6.10, Published by Simulia.Google Scholar
24. Shet, C. and Chandra, N. Analysis of energy balance when using cohesive zone models to simulate fracture process, Eng Mater Technol, 2002, 124, pp 440–50.Google Scholar
25. Williams, J.G. and Hadavinia, H. Analytical solutions for cohesive zone models, Mech Phys Solids, 2002, 50, pp 809–25.Google Scholar
26. Aymerich, F., Dore, F. and Priolo, P. Prediction of impact-induced delamination in cross-ply composite laminates using cohesive interface elements, Compos Sci Technol, 2008, 68, pp 2383–90.Google Scholar
27. Bianchi, F, and Zhang, X. A cohesive zone model for predicting delamination suppression in z-pinned laminates, Compos Sci Technol, 2011, 71, pp 1898–1907.Google Scholar
28. Chang, F.K., Choi, H.Y. and Jeng, S.T. Study on impact damage in laminated composites, Mechanics of Materials, 1990, 10, pp 83–95.Google Scholar
29. Liu, H. Ply Clustering Effect On Composite Laminates Under Low-Velocity Impact Using FEA, MSc Thesis, Cranfield University, 2012.Google Scholar
30. Schön, J. Coefficient of friction of composite delamination surfaces, Wear, 2000, 237, pp 77–89.Google Scholar
31. Puck, A. and Schürmann, H. Failure analysis of FRP laminates by means of physically based phenomenological models, Compos Sci Technol, 1998, 58, pp 1045–67.Google Scholar
32. Puck, A. and Schürmann, H. Failure analysis of FRP laminates by means of physically based phenomenological models, Compos Sci Technol, 2002, 62, pp 1633–1662.Google Scholar
33. Ghelli, D. and Minak, G. Low velocity impact and compression after impact tests on thin carbon/epoxy laminates, Compos B, 2011, 42, pp 2067–79.Google Scholar
34. Schoeppner, G.A. and Abrate, S. Delamination threshold loads for low velocity impact on composite laminates, Compos A, 2000, 31, pp 903–915.Google Scholar