A multiscale approach for modelling impact on woven composites under consideration of the fabric topology
A computationally efficient multiscale modelling approach for predicting impact damage within fabric reinforced laminated composites is presented. In contrast to common ply-level approaches, the topology of a multi-layered fabric reinforced laminate is resolved at tow-level for a sub-domain embedded in a shell layer with homogenised representation of the laminate. The detailed sub-domain is entirely modelled using shell elements, where material nonlinearities such as damage and plasticity-like behaviour of the tows, inelastic behaviour of unreinforced resin zones up to failure and delamination between plies are accounted for. To exemplify the capabilities of the approach, an explicit finite element simulation of a laminated plate consisting of eight carbon fabric reinforced epoxy plies with eight harness satin weaving style in a drop weight impact test setup is conducted. The spatial and temporal distribution of intra- and inter-ply damage is predicted and the total energy absorption by the plate, as well as the contributions of individual damage mechanisms are evaluated. The predictions show very good agreement with corresponding experimental data from the literature and give insight into the impact behaviour of the laminate beyond the capability of usual experiments. The new approach allows to resolve the stress concentrations due to fabric topology in detail. Compared to common ply-level approaches this is reflected in different predicted energy absorptions per mechanism although, the total energy absorption hardly differs. This is especially important when the post impact behaviour of laminates is predicted as it is strongly influenced by the extent of the individual damage mechanisms.