Numerical Simulations of High Velocity Impacts of Composite Fragments

In this work, a numerical methodology to predict the behavior of high velocity impacts of composite laminate fragments against a rigid plate has been developed. In order to model the behavior of the carbon/epoxy laminate, an intra-laminar failure model has been used to describe the ply failure whereas the inter-laminar behavior has been modelled using a cohesive interaction. To validate the numerical model proposed, experimental tests of high velocity impacts of fragments have been performed in a wide range of impact velocities (from 70 to 180 m/s). The comparison showed that the numerical methodology developed predicts adequately the fragment evolution.