Experimental and Computational Investigation of Low-Impact Velocity and Quasi-Static Failure of PMMA

Abstract

An investigation of the low velocity impact and quasi-static failure of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) based on global and local post-impact strain measurements was conducted. Local strains were obtained from surface mounted Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors, and they were combined with global measurements from quasi-static indentation and low-velocity impact experiments, and finite-element analyses to obtain detailed maps of how failure spatially initiates and evolves. For both loading regimes, the interactions between the host PMMA specimens and the sensors played a crucial role in the evolution of residual strains. A mapping of the strains clearly shows that strains decrease radially, from high values near the point of impact to far-field values. Sensors located in critical locations, which are near the impact region, had the highest residual strains prior to PMMA fracture. Furthermore, it was determined that strain transfer to the sensor is strongly influenced by the bonding conditions at the specimen’s surface. Due to the debonding of the sensor and the frictional effects associated with the bonding agent, compressive residual strains occurred on the rear-surface. Hence, a detailed understanding of how strain evolves due to sensor-host interactions and catastrophic fracture can be obtained, which can potentially be used to mitigate damage in PMMA for a range of strain-rates.