Abstract:
This study develops and validates a three-dimensional Finite Element methodology to simulate the complex damage mechanisms, including delamination and perforation, that occur during the high-velocity ballistic impact of a projectile on composite laminates. The explicit nonlinear dynamic finite element code LS-DYNA was used to create detailed 3-D models of both a steel projectile and the composite target plates (E-glass/epoxy and Carbon/epoxy). The projectile was modeled with eight-node solid elements using a
*MAT_PLASTIC_KINEMATIC material model to capture its elastic-plastic behavior, while the composite laminate target was also modeled with eight-node solid elements, with each ply represented by a single layer of elements. The composite's orthotropic behavior and progressive failure were simulated using the
*MAT_COMPOSITE_DAMAGE material model, which incorporates failure criteria to allow for element erosion upon failure, representing material perforation. A critical aspect of the FEA model was the simulation of delamination between plies, which was achieved by using a
*CONTACT_AUTOMATIC_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE_TIEBREAK contact definition with a failure criterion based on interlaminar shear and normal strengths. The Finite Element analysis was used to predict the V-50 ballistic limit, and the results, including residual velocities and energy absorption, were compared with experimental data from literature, showing very good agreement.
