Finite Element Modelling of High Velocity Impact on Plate Structures

The high velocity impact in heterogeneous materials is a very old and complex problem. Accurate numerical simulation of impact events can provide physical insights that cannot be captured by experiments. The high velocity process is very complex and requires the use of reliable and robust constitutive materials models. Currently, for impact modelling in composite structures at low and high speeds is used mainly Finite Element Method (FEM), Boundary Element Method, Finite Volume Method, meshless formulations and recently connection of FEM and element free based formulations. In this paper the finite element models for normal impact were created in ABAQUS/Explicit software. First, the simulations presented here examine the perforation of steel and aluminium plate specimens and then impact load is applied on composite plate with eight layers reinforced by carbon fibers. The Johnson-Cook model for strain rate effects in the material and its compressibility and Hashin failure criterion for damage of composite plate were used in simulations.