Modelling of glass reinforced thermoplastic composite side-impact structures

Aligned fibre glass reinforced thermoplastic composites manufactured from c ommingled glass and polypropylene offer potential for structural crashworth y parts moulded in high volumes. In side-impact beam applications, their lo w densities capacitate more occupant-friendly beam geometries. This paper d escribes a simple implicit finite element damage model for commingled glass reinforced thermoplastic composites. The model is implemented as a user su broutine within ABAQUS/Standard, and is based on the well-known Chang and L essard approach for thermosets. The material model includes various modes o f failure and mode-dependent, non-linear post failure behaviour. The post f ailure behaviour requirements range from a slight reduction in modulus to a rapid drop-off in load carrying capability. An implicit analysis with the model is used to predict the behaviour of a t hermoplastic side impact beam design. The results show good agreement with experimental testing to FMVSS 214.