Advanced material characterization and modeling the foreign body impact damage initiation and progression of a laminated carbon composite

The coupon level composite sample tests and the accompanying numerical models were carried out to predict the response of woven carbon fiber composite structures against impact. The numerical models of the coupon-level tests were implemented in LSDYNA software using the MAT_162 and MAT_58 composite material models. The results obtained by both quasi-static and dynamic tests were used to determine their constants. In addition to the tests that were used for the determination and calibration of the material model parameters, separate tests and their models were performed for the validation, including punch shear tests and low-velocity impact tests. It could be said that the material models examined were considered comprehensive and precise as the experimental results were well predicted by the numerical models. Also, the rate sensitivity of the woven carbon composite in the in-plane and thickness directions was investigated experimentally and numerically. In the tests, the DIC method was employed in the determination of the displacement and strain of the specimen. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that the in-plane tensile properties are rate insensitive. Besides, the simulations of the component level tests, such as bird strike and drone impact, were established to investigate the damage initiation and propagation within the composite. It was found that the drone impact results in more severe damage compared to the bird impact. It is worth noting that the development of such precise composite material models to simulate dynamic loadings will definitely shorten the time between the beginning of designing and the component testing.