A 3-DIMENSIONAL MODELING OF LOW-VELOCITY IMPACT DAMAGE IN COMPOSITE LAMINATES

The modelling of the behaviour of laminates during low velocity impact requires, first, an analysis of the efficiency of the numerical tool used. A logical development in relation to the numerical structure of the code and the experimental observations is-proposed. Four aspects o f the code implementation are discussed. The first one is the represen tation of the impact loading by a macro-contact model using the Lagran ge multiplier technique. The second is the development of this techniq ue on the meso-scale to represent the assembly of plies of the laminat e. The third step is the modelling of the evolution of the non homogen eous cracked state in the composite with an averaging technique, based on the Laws-Dvorak-Hejazi model, developed on the finite element scal e. The fourth step is the modelling of the delamination between plies as a lack of contact set off by a mixed criterion matrix-cracking/inte rfacial forces. Numerical results on a glass-epoxy [02/906/02] laminat e impacted at 27 J are in a good agreement with experimental observati ons.