A Numerical Study of the High-Velocity Impact Response of a Composite Laminate Using LS-DYNA

Abstract

The failure of a Kevlar29/Phenolic composite plate under high-velocity impact from an fragment simulation projectile was investigated using the nonlinear explicit finite element code, LS-DYNA. The composite laminate and the impactor were idealized by solid elements, and the interface between the laminas was modeled as a tiebreak type in LS-DYNA. The interaction between the impactor and laminate was simulated using a surface-to-surface eroding contact algorithm. When the stress level meets the given failure criteria, the layer in the element is eroded. Numerical results were verified through existing test results and showed good agreement.