A dynamic constitutive model for fiber-reinforced composite under impact loading

Abstract

A constitutive model was proposed to predict the deformation and characterize the failure features of fiber-reinforced composite structures under dynamic loading. Primarily, quasi-static and dynamic mechanical tests were carried out on composite laminates with designed plying sequences. The material modulus was found rising as the increase of strain rate, while the ultimate strain exhibits no strain rate dependency. Nonlinear behavior was observed under transverse compression and in-plane shear, and was attributed to the progressive damage of material. Based on the results of uniaxial tests, constitutive relations were established for plane stress case and three-dimensional case respectively. Two damage factors were introduced to describe the nonlinear behavior, and failure criteria based on transversely isotropic invariants were proposed. Additionally, the constitutive model was implemented in Abaqus through user-defined material subroutine and validated by the simulation of uniaxial tests and bird impact tests. Comparing to the traditional model, the constitutive relations presented in this paper was proved to have better accuracy and efficiency in predicting dynamic response and ultimate failure patterns of composite structures under dynamic loading.