Subtle features of delamination in cross-ply laminates due to low speed impact

In cross-ply laminates, the shape of delamination areas, which form due to low velocity impact, have two subtle features, which have been observed consistently in numerous experiments. Those are the pointed delamination tips and the intact zone between the lobes of delamination. However, there have not been any account available in the literature how they can be consistently captured through numerical modelling, and hence these features in published modelling results were often absent. It is the objective of this paper to identify the underlying modelling considerations so that these features can be captured with confidence. A key and unique reason has been identified in each case. Namely, inclusion of intra-laminar damage allows to reproduce the pointed delamination tips, while the gap between the lobes of delamination can be captured by models with sufficiently refined mesh, where friction between the laminas is taken into account. The capability of capturing these subtle features helps to raise the level of fidelity on the simulation of delamination due to impact.

[1]  Francesco Aymerich,et al.  Prediction of impact-induced delamination in cross-ply composite laminates using cohesive interface elements , 2008 .

[2]  Stephen R Reid,et al.  Application of a delamination model to laminated composite structures , 2002 .

[3]  S. Abrate Composite structures: impact on composites 2002 , 2003 .

[4]  Francesco Aymerich,et al.  Simulation of multiple delaminations in impacted cross-ply laminates using a finite element model based on cohesive interface elements , 2009 .

[5]  G. Nguyen,et al.  A thermodynamics-based cohesive model for interface debonding and friction , 2014 .

[6]  Francesco Bianchi,et al.  Predicting low-velocity impact damage in composites by a quasi-static load model with cohesive interface elements , 2012, The Aeronautical Journal (1968).

[7]  Constantinos Soutis,et al.  Modelling damage evolution in composite laminates subjected to low velocity impact , 2012 .

[8]  Ji-kui Zhang,et al.  Simulating low-velocity impact induced delamination in composites by a quasi-static load model with surface-based cohesive contact , 2015 .

[9]  Ramesh Talreja,et al.  A continuum mechanics characterization of damage in composite materials , 1985, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. A. Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

[10]  C. Ruiz,et al.  A delamination criterion for laminated composites under low-velocity impact , 2001 .

[11]  Youhong Tang,et al.  Modelling low-speed drop-weight impact on composite laminates , 2014 .

[12]  J. G. Williams,et al.  On the analysis of mixed-mode failure , 1992, International Journal of Fracture.

[13]  Jean-François Ferrero,et al.  Cohesive zone models and impact damage predictions for composite structures , 2015 .

[14]  Andreas T. Echtermeyer,et al.  Damage development in stitch bonded GFRP composite plates under low velocity impact: Experimental and numerical results , 2015 .

[15]  P. Priolo,et al.  Damage response of stitched cross-ply laminates under impact loadings , 2007 .

[16]  Stephen R Reid,et al.  Modelling damage of multiple delaminations and transverse matrix cracking in laminated composites due to low velocity lateral impact , 2006 .

[17]  Stephen R Reid,et al.  A continuum damage model for transverse matrix cracking in laminated fibre–reinforced composites , 1998, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences.

[18]  F. Aymerich,et al.  Numerical simulation of the effect of stitching on the delamination resistance of laminated composites subjected to low-velocity impact , 2017 .

[19]  Joakim Schön,et al.  Coefficient of friction of composite delamination surfaces , 2000 .

[20]  S. Li,et al.  Modelling transverse cracking damage in thin, filament-wound tubes subjected to lateral indentation followed by internal pressure , 2005 .

[21]  Xiaohu Yao,et al.  Delamination prediction in composite laminates under low-velocity impact , 2015 .

[22]  Fu-Kuo Chang,et al.  Damage in graphite/epoxy laminated composites resulting from low-velocity impact , 1991 .

[23]  R. K. Luo,et al.  Impact damage analysis of composite plates , 1999 .