How cracks affect the contact characteristics during impact of solid particles on glass surfaces: A computational study using anisotropic continuum damage mechanics

Finite element analyses are used to simulate the response of glass impacted by solid particles. The Sun-Khaleel stress-based continuum damage mechanics (CDM) model is used to describe the constitutive behavior of glass. The contribution of different cracking systems in the strength degradation of glass is explicitly taken into account by the anisotropic CDM model which is enhanced by coupling with a vanishing element technique. Focusing on the initiation and propagation of the ring/cone crack, a combined numerical and experimental approach is proposed to estimate the CDM stress limits. The changes in contact characteristics due to erosion damage mechanism in glass are then studied using the developed predictive tool. In accordance with available experimental observations, it is found that the impact-induced damage reduces the energy restitution coefficient and increases the contact time.

► Development of an anisotropic model including damage and a failure criterion. ► Identification of model parameters using a hybrid numerical/experimental approach. ► Prediction of cracking patterns in glass subjected to impact loading. ► Demonstration of a nice agreement between numerical trends and experimental data.