Effect of permanent indentation on the delamination threshold for small mass impact on plates

Small mass impacts on composite structures are common cases caused by hailstones and runway debris. Small mass impactors usually result in a wave controlled local response, which is independent of boundary conditions. This response occurs before the reflection of waves from the boundaries and cannot be modeled by large mass drop weight tests. An elasto-plastic contact law, which accounts for permanent indentation and damage effects, was used here to study small mass impact on laminated composite plates. By comparing with results from the Hertzian contact law, it was found that damage can change the dynamic response of the structure significantly with increasing impact velocity. Due to smaller contact force generated for the case of using elasto-plastic contact, the central displacement of the plate is also less than the one using Hertzian contact law. The linearized version of the contact law was then used to derive the closed-form approximations of the contact force, indentation and plate central displacement for the impact loading of composite laminates. The threshold velocity for delamination onset under small mass impact was predicted analytically based on the obtained peak contact forces by combining with an existing quasi-static delamination threshold load criterion. A good agreement was found between the predicted threshold values and published experimental results.     

ON RESIDUAL COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH PREDICTION OF COMPOSITE SANDWICH PANELS AFTER LOW-VELOCITY IMPACT DAMAGE

This paper introduces a nonlinear finite element analysis on damage propagation behavior of composite sandwich panels under in-plane uniaxial quasi-static compression after a low velocity impact. The major damage modes due to the impact, including the residual indentation on the impacted facesheet, the initially crushed core under the impacted area, and the delamination are incorporated into the model. A consequential core crushing mechanism is incorporated into the analysis by using an element deactivation technique. Damage propagation behavior, which corresponds to those observed in sandwich compression after impact (SCAI) tests, has been successfully captured in the numerical simulation. The critical far field stress corresponding to the onset of damage propagation at specified critical locations near the damage zone are captured successfully. They show a good correlation with experimental data. These values can be used to effectively predict the residual compressive strength of low-velocity impact damaged composite sandwich panels.     

Delamination initiation of laminates with pin-loaded holes

A finite element analysis is conducted to determine the three-dimensional stress field in a composite laminate with a pin-loaded hole. The accuracy of computation is established by comparison with the strain gauge measurements near and away from the hole boundary. An acoustic emission technique was used to determine the initial failure load as the specimen was subjected to a quasi-static loading rate. Specimens were examined between the load steps using radiography and micrography in order to detect delamination initiation. The delamination initiation site and the corresponding load level are predicted by applying the strain energy density criterion. The critical parameters were extracted from the experimental measurements and finite element analysis of a double cantilever beam specimen. The analysis predictions indicate that delaminations could initiate close to the free surface at the interface between layers with a fiber orientation of ±45° relative to the load direction. These predictions confirm the experimental observations.     

Response and Damage Tolerance of Composite Sandwich Structures under Low Velocity Impact

The deformation and failure response of composite sandwich beams and panels under low velocity impact was reviewed and discussed. Sandwich facesheet materials discussed are unidirectional and woven carbon/epoxy, and woven glass/vinylester composite laminates; sandwich core materials investigated include four types of closed cell PVC foams of various densities, and balsa wood. Sandwich beams were tested in an instrumented drop tower system under various energy levels, where load and strain histories and failure modes were recorded for the various types of beams. Peak loads predicted by spring-mass and energy balance models were in satisfactory agreement with experimental measurements. Failure patterns depend strongly on the impact energy levels and core properties. Failure modes observed include core indentation/cracking, facesheet buckling, delamination within the facesheet, and debonding between the facesheet and core. In the case of sandwich panels, it was shown that static and impact loads of the same magnitude produce very similar far-field deformations. The induced damage is localized and is lower for impact loading than for an equivalent static loading. The load history, predicted by a model based on the sinusoidal shape of the impact load pulse, was in agreement with experimental results. A finite element model was implemented to capture the full response of the panel indentation. The investigation of post impact behavior of sandwich structures shows that, although impact damage may not be readily visible, its effects on the residual mechanical properties of the structure can be quite detrimental.     

随机晶界分布对铝多晶材料晶间破坏行为的影响

采用二维随机有限元方法研究了准静态拉伸载荷下细观随机不均匀的粗晶粒铝多晶试件晶间破坏的力学行为．探讨了随机晶界的数量和分布对材料断裂性能的影响。     

复合材料层压板低速冲击响应尺度效应数值模拟研究

为了研究尺度效应对于复合材料层压板在低速冲击作用下的动态响应和冲击损伤的影响,基于相似理论,建立了三种不同尺寸的层压板受冲击的三维有限元模型。在该模型中,针对层压板的面内损伤,采用改进的Chang-Chang准则进行预测;针对层压板内层间分层损伤,则使用Cohesive界面单元进行模拟。一旦复合材料层压板在低速冲击作用下产生损伤,则对出现损伤的区域进行材料参数退化。采用该模型对三种不同尺寸的层压板的冲击过程进行有限元分析,并将不同冲击速度下的冲击响应进行比较,得出了如下结论：在层压板内未发生冲击损伤时,冲击产生的挠度和冲击力与相似理论解十分吻合,一旦出现冲击损伤,则冲击力的变化与相似理论解有所差别;如果两个缩放模型的冲击速度之比等于缩放比例的平方根,则两个模型中的相对分层尺寸基本是相同的,这个结果与已有的实验结果吻合;而对冲击后面内损伤的分析表明,其损伤尺寸不符合这一相似规律。     

复合材料层合板低速冲击损伤分析的连续介质损伤力学模型

针对复合材料层合板低速冲击损伤问题,提出了一种各向异性材料连续介质损伤力学模型,模型涵盖损伤表征、损伤起始判定和损伤演化法则3 个方面. 通过材料断裂面坐标下的损伤状态变量矩阵完成损伤表征,并考虑断裂面角度的影响,建立了主轴坐标系下的材料损伤本构关系. 损伤起始由卜克(Puck) 失效准则预测,损伤演化由断裂面上的等效应变控制,服从基于材料应变能释放的线性软化行为. 模型区分了纤维损伤和基体损伤,并根据冲击载荷下层内产生多条基体裂纹继而扩展至界面形成层间裂纹(分层) 的试验观察,引入基体裂纹饱和密度参数表征层间分层. 以[0₃/45/-45]_S 和[45/0/-45/90]_4S 两种铺层的复合材料层合板为例,预测了不同冲击能量下复合材料层合板的低速冲击损伤响应参数,试验结果证明了连续介质损伤力学模型的有效性.模型在不同网格密度下的计算结果表明单元特征长度的引入可以在一定程度上降低损伤演化阶段对网格密度的依赖性.      

Dynamics of delamination buckling

The dynamics of delamination growth in layered plates as a result of delamination buckling is studied in the context of the model problem of a two layer circular plate with an initial penny-shaped delaminalion subject to a time dependent radial compressive load. The interaction of delamination buckling and normal impact is modeled through the application of a uniform transverse tension pulse, simulating the effect of a wave front passing through the layer interface, in conjunction with the radial loading. In addition three types of radial loading functions are considered independently and characcteristic features of the response are observed. Comparison is made with growth predictions made using a quasi-static analysis.     

Analytical model for delamination growth during small mass impact on plates

An analytical model is presented for delamination initiation and growth and the resulting response during small mass impact on orthotropic laminated composite plates, which typically is caused by runway debris and other small objects. The solution is obtained by a fast stepwise numerical solution of a single integral equation. Delamination size, load and deflection history are predicted by extension of an earlier elastic impact model by the author. Good agreement is demonstrated in comparisons with finite element simulations and experiments.     

Thermally induced wrinkling in orthotropic layered plates with irregular delaminations

Delaminated regions figure prominently among potential threats to the structural integrity of layered plate configurations. Under a certain thermal loading threshold, geometrically nonlinear local instabilities in the form of buckling or wrinkling across the delaminated region crop up, giving rise to markedly amplified distributions of contour peeling stresses. The present paper aims to shed light on and quantify the manifold aspects and implications of the delamination-thermal-wrinkling trio. The paper faces the challenges of handling the nature of the layered configuration, the inherent geometrical irregularity of delaminated regions, the discontinuous interfacial conditions, the 3D stress state along the delamination contour, and the nonlinear evolution of local instabilities across an orthotropic delamination. For that purpose, a specially tailored 2D multi layered plate model and a corresponding triangular finite element are derived. The original contribution of the proposed model is in its ability to capture the thermally-driven, nonlinear small scale phenomena related to geometrically nonlinear response of the layered structure, using a 2D multi-layered plate theory solved with efficient 2D multi-layered triangular finite elements, as opposed to computationally expensive 3D finite element analysis. This is accomplished via the integration and synergy of methodologies that include: multi-layered high order plate theory to account for the layered layout, geometrically nonlinear strain-displacement relations to account for geometrical nonlinearities, orthotropic and thermo-elastic constitutive laws to account for thermal loads, and interlayer interface modelling which, combined with a the shear-locking free triangular FE, allows accounting for arbitrarily shaped delaminations. The model is validated against a 1D closed form solution and a 3D continuum based finite element analysis and is then used for a numerical study. In the study, the onset and the evolution of local instabilities in an adhesively bonded orthotropic layer across an irregular delamination are looked into. Special attention is given to the significant influence of material orthotropy and the relative directionality of the delamination on the threshold thermal load, the nonlinear wrinkling patterns, and the peeling traction distribution.     

含分层损伤复合材料层合板分层扩展研究

采用基于Ｍｉｎｄｌｉｎ－阶剪切理论的四节点板单元,分析了含椭圆分层合板分层扩展行为。利用虚裂纹闭合技术计算分层前缘处的总能量释放率,并采用总能量释放率准则作为扩展准则,结合自适应网格移动技术,并考虑了分层前缘闭合接角效应,对 合材料层合板的分层扩展行为进行了模拟分析。结果表明,初始分层形状对其扩展有方式有限大影响。     

A Novel Method for Dynamic Short-Beam Shear Testing of 3D Woven Composites

A new test method for performing dynamic short-beam shear tests using a momentum trapped Hopkinson pressure bar is proposed. Angle-interlock 3D woven composite specimens were tested under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions to determine the effect of loading rate on damage evolution. The equilibrium condition in the composite specimen under dynamic loads was verified using finite element analysis of the experiment. A high speed camera was used to capture delamination initiation and propagation during both quasi-static and dynamic experiments. Analysis of the load-deflection curves and the high speed images revealed a good correlation between the modes of damage initiation and propagation with the features in the loading response. The apparent inter-laminar shear strength and the bending stiffness increased with rate of loading. While the damage was observed to propagate at a relative steady rate during quasi-static loading, the high rate of energy input during dynamic loading resulted in a rapid propagation of damage and a subsequent loss of stiffness in the composite as noted in the load-deflection curve.     

Element-failure concepts for dynamic fracture and delamination in low-velocity impact of composites

An element-failure algorithm is proposed and incorporated into a finite element code for simulating dynamic crack propagation and impact damage in laminated composite materials. In this algorithm, when a crack is propagating within a finite element, the element is deemed to have partially failed, but not removed from the computations. Consequently, only a fraction of the stresses that were computed before the crack tip entered the element contribute to the nodal forces of the element. When the crack has propagated through the element, the element is completely failed and therefore can only resist volumetric compression. This treatment of crack propagation in isotropic solids allows fracture paths within individual elements and is able to accommodate crack growth in any arbitrary direction without the need for remeshing. However, this concept is especially powerful when extended to the modeling of damage and delamination in fibre-reinforced composite laminates. This is because the nature of damage in composite laminates is generally diffused, characterized by multiple matrix cracks, fibre pullout, fibre breakage and delaminations. It is usually not possible to define or identify crack tips in the tradition of fracture mechanics. Since parts of a damaged composite structure are often able to partially transmit load despite the presence of some damage, it is advantageous to model the damaged portions with partially failed elements. The damage may be efficiently modeled and tracked using element-failure concepts, with the application of appropriate failure criteria and damage evolution laws. The idea is to embody the effects of damage into the effective nodal forces of the finite element. In this paper, we report the novel use of element-failure concepts in the analysis of low-velocity impact damage of composite laminates. The initiation and propagation of delaminations arising from the impact are predicted and the results show qualitative agreement with experimental observation of the formation of multiple delaminations in impact-damaged specimens. While such delaminations do not permit transmission of tensile stress waves across the cracked surfaces, transmission of compressive stress waves are allowed in the simulation. It is further shown that, when elements are allowed to fail, the dynamic stress wave distributions are altered significantly. In the element-failure algorithm, the issue of interpenetration of delamination surfaces in the model does not arise. This is a significant advantage over the conventional method of explicitly modeling the delamination surfaces and crack front, where generally, much computational time must be spent in employing contact algorithms to ensure physically admissible solutions. Finally, we also demonstrate the simulation of crack propagation of pre-notched specimens of an isotropic material under initial conditions of mode II loading using the element-failure algorithm. The numerical results showed that the cracks propagated at an angle of about 70° with respect to the notches, in agreement with the experimental results of Kalthoff.     

A crack tip tracking algorithm for cohesive interface element analysis of fatigue delamination propagation in composite materials

A novel approach is proposed for the use of cohesive elements in the analysis of delamination propagation in composite materials under high-cycle fatigue loading. The method is applicable to delamination propagation within the Paris-law regime and is suitable for the analysis of three-dimensional structures typical of aerospace applications. The major advantages of the proposed formulation are its complete independence of the cohesive zone length – which is a geometry-dependent parameter – and its relative insensitivity to mesh refinement. This is only possible via the introduction of three nonlocal algorithms, which provide (i) automated three-dimensional tracking of delamination fronts, (ii) an estimation of direction of crack propagation and (iii) accurate and mesh-insensitive integration of strain energy release rate. All calculations are updated at every increment of an explicit time-integration finite element solution, which models the envelopes of forces and displacements with an assumption of underlying constant cyclic loading. The method was implemented as a user-defined subroutine in the commercial finite element software LS-Dyna and supports the analysis of complex three-dimensional models. Results are presented for benchmark cases such as specimens with central cut plies and centrally-loaded circular plates. Accurate predictions of delamination growth rates are observed for different mesh topologies in agreement with the Paris-laws of the material.     

受弯脱层层板后屈曲有限元分析

脱层是复合材料层板结构中主要的缺陷形式之一。当脱层层板受到压力载荷的作用会造成脱层的局部屈曲和扩展,从而使结构的强度和刚度大为降低。含脱层层板的弯曲问题包含了脱层的压缩问题,却比压缩问题更加复杂。本文对含穿透脱层层板在纯弯载荷作用下的后屈曲问题进行了基于一阶剪切层板理论的几何非线性有限元分析,运用虚裂纹闭合技术求解了纯弯载荷作用下的脱层尖端的能量释放率各型分量,并用脱层扩展判据求解了脱层起始扩展载荷。     

A cohesive zone model for fatigue crack growth allowing for crack retardation

A damage-based cohesive model is developed for simulating crack growth due to fatigue loading. The cohesive model follows a linear damage-dependent traction–separation relation coupled with a damage evolution equation. The rate of damage evolution is characterized by three material parameters corresponding to common features of fatigue behavior captured by the model, namely, damage accumulation, crack retardation and stress threshold. Good agreement is obtained between finite element solutions using the model and fatigue test results for an aluminum alloy under different load ratios and for the overload effect on ductile 316 L steel.     

大、中等质量冲头冲击下支持跨度对复合材料层压板冲击的影响分析

基于ABAQUS软件建立三种支持跨度的层压板三维有限元模型,分别计算在两种质量冲头冲击下的响应和损伤。结果表明,在判断支持跨度对冲击结果的影响时,要考虑冲头质量与板质量的比;在大质量冲头冲击的情况下,层压板的响应呈现准静态特征,层压板支持跨度的变化对,最大接触力、冲击持续时间、分层损伤面积等参数的影响较为简单明确;对于中等质量冲头情况,冲击接触时间减小,层压板振动明显,导致冲头与层压板在冲击过程中会脱离接触。在这种情况下不同跨度下板的响应差异也较为明显,冲击力的大小和损伤情况要依据具体的分析。从冲击接触时间和层压板固有振动周期的角度分析了冲头质量水平对冲击响应的影响。     

Buckling analysis of laminated composite plates containing delaminations using the enhanced assumed strain solid element

This study investigates buckling behaviors of laminated composite structures with a delamination using the enhanced assumed strain (EAS) solid element. The EAS three-dimensional finite element (FE) formulation described in this paper, in comparison with the conventional approaches, is more attractive not only because it shows better accuracy but also it converges faster, especially for distorted element shapes. The developed FE model is used for studying cross-ply or angle-ply laminates containing an embedded delamination as well as through-the-width delamination. The numerical results obtained are in good agreement with those reported by other investigators. In particular, new results reported in this paper are focused on the significant effects of the local buckling for various parameters, such as size of delamination, aspect ratio, width-to-thickness ratio, stacking sequences, and location of delamination and multiple delaminations.     

碳纳米管/碳纤维增强复合材料层合板低速冲击响应和破坏的数值模拟

碳纳米管/碳纤维增强复合材料（carbon nanotube/carbon fibre reinforced plastic,CNT/CFRP）是一种多尺度复合材料,比传统CFRP有更好的综合性能和更广阔的应用前景。对CNT/CFRP在低速冲击下的响应和破坏进行了数值模拟研究。首先,基于先前的研究通过引入基体增韧因子、残余强度因子并改进损伤耦合方程,建立了新的FRP动态渐进损伤模型;然后,利用新建立的本构模型并结合黏结层损伤模型,对4种碳纳米管含量的增韧碳纤维增强树脂基复合材料层合板在5个能量下的冲击实验进行了数值模拟;最后,将模拟结果与文献中的相关实验结果进行了比较,并讨论了冲击速度的影响。结果表明:新建立的FRP本构模型能够预测CNT/CFRP层合板在低速冲击载荷作用下的响应、破坏过程和分层形貌,模拟得到的载荷-位移曲线和破坏形貌与实验吻合较好;冲击速度会影响CNT/CFRP层合板拉伸和压缩破坏的比例,相同的冲击能量下,更大的冲击速度会造成更多的拉伸破坏。     

A novel technique for time-resolved detection and tracking of interfacial and matrix fracture in layered materials

A novel experimental technique is developed for time-resolved detection and tracking of damage in the forms of delamination and matrix cracking in layered materials such as composite laminates. The technique is non-contact in nature and uses dual or quadruple laser interferometers for high temporal resolution. Simultaneous measurements of differential displacement and velocity at individual locations are obtained to analyze the initiation and progression of interfacial fracture and/or matrix cracking/delamination in a polymer matrix composite laminate system reinforced by graphite fibers. The measurements at multiple locations allow the speeds at which interfacial crack front (mode-I) or matrix cracking/delamination front (mode-II dominated) propagates to be determined. Experiments carried out use three-point bend configurations. Impact loading is achieved using a modified Kolsky bar apparatus with a complete set of diagnostics for load, deformation, deformation rate, and input energy measurement. This technique is used to characterize the full process of damage initiation and growth. The experiments also focused on the quantification of the speed at which delamination or damage propagates under primarily mode-I and mode-II conditions. The results show that the speed of delamination (mode-I) or the speed of matrix cracking/delamination (primarily mode-II) increases linearly with impact velocity. Furthermore, speeds of matrix failure/delamination under primarily mode-II conditions are much higher than the speeds of mode-I crack induced delamination under mode-I conditions.