Numerical study on the perforation of fiber reinforced plastic laminates struck by high velocity projectiles

Abstract

A numerical study is performed herein on the perforation of fiber reinforced plastic laminates struck normally by flat-nosed projectiles at high velocities. First, some previous constitutive models for fiber reinforced plastic composites are briefly reviewed and then a constitutive model is proposed to predict the perforation of fiber reinforced plastic laminates. The present constitutive model is developed based on the concept of continuum damage mechanics and criteria for different failure modes which take the quadratic form of various stress parameters. The effects of strain rate on the strength as well as the modulus of fiber reinforced plastic laminated materials are also considered in the model. It transpires that the present numerical simulations are in good agreement with experimental observations for the perforation of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, glass fiber reinforced plastic and kevlar fiber reinforced plastic laminates impacted by flat-ended projectiles in terms of deformation profile, ballistic limit and residual velocity. It also transpires that the present constitutive model is advantageous over the existing models.