Numerical study of composite laminates subjected to low-velocity impact using a localized damage algorithm of Puck's 3D IFF criterion

The damage area of the composite laminates subjected to low-velocity impact has a localized damage characteristic. Based on this characteristic, a localized damage algorithm applied in a finite element model of composite materials under low-velocity impact was proposed. Firstly, the laminated plate subjected to low-velocity impact was simplified as a simply supported isotropic thin rectangular plate subjected to a central concentrated force. And the localized damage area defined as a reference value was conservatively estimated by the Navier deflection solution. Then, the numerical analysis was performed on a composite laminate specimen under the impact energy of 4J and 8J. By developing user subroutine of ABAQUS VUMAT, the progressive damage models based on Puck's 3D IFF criterion was defined in this localized zone and the linear elastic constitutive model was defined in the other zones. Compared with Traversal Search Method and Semi-Analytical Approximation Method applied in Puck's 3D IFF criterion, the localized damage algorithm was in good agreement with experimental results, and had little effect on the calculation accuracy. According to the 3D damage envelope inside the localized impact zone, the matrix tension damage developed perpendicularly to the ply orientation and presented as a peanut-like shape. Finally, compared with Traversal Search Method and Semi-analytical Approximation Method, the localized damage algorithm could greatly improve the computational efficiency.