Session: 12-12-02: Modeling of the Fracture, Failure, and Fatigue in Solids

Paper Number: 142901

142901 - Ballistic Impact Modeling of Woven Composites Using the Microplane Triad Model With Meso-Scale Damage Mechanisms 

The existence of undulating fill and warp yarns in woven composite laminae introduces complex unit cell geometries and multi-scale interactions among the constituents. Due to these, the failure process involves various meso-scale constituent-level failure modes under complex loading scenarios such as ballistic impact. This can be challenging to model via conventional macro-scale damage tensor-based models. This challenge is tackled here via the adaptation of the previously developed multi-scale microplane triad model. The model is based on the framework of microplane theory and can resolve meso-scale constituent level details (including yarn undulations) and predict not only the elastic constants of a woven lamina but also its fracturing behavior. The effective yarn properties are obtained by means of a simplified mesomechanical model of the yarn, based on a mixed series and parallel coupling of the fibers and of the polymer within the yarns. The undulating fill and warp yarns are mechanically represented by a triad of orthogonal microplanes, one of which is normal to the yarn segment while another is normal to the plane of the laminate. 

In the present adaptation, only two damage laws are formulated, one for the fibers and one for the matrix. This enables the model to embody the correct values of the intralaminar mode I and II fracture energies of the woven lamina. The model is calibrated using constituent and lamina level test data, and then used to predict the ballistic impact behavior of a single plain-woven lamina under a wide range of projectile impact velocities. The model is demonstrated to predict very well the projectile residual (rebound and exit) velocities, the energy dissipation, the major failure modes of the lamina and the corresponding extent of damage, as well as the ballistic limit and deformation cone wave propagation speeds. The model’s simple, conceptually clear architecture, and computational efficiency represent a major advantage compared to existing damage tensor-based models. The model is also extended to multi-layer thick section woven laminate impact, where the analyses consider both intralaminar and interlaminar failures. The predictions are found to be comparable to those from MAT162, a commercially available material model in LS-Dyna, with much better computational efficiency. Via detailed sensitivity studies, it is demonstrated that the mode I and II intralaminar fracture energies of the lamina are a crucial model input, necessary for accurate predictions of ballistic impact. Not knowing these can introduce significant uncertainty and therefore, their characterization is an absolute must. Finally, the optimal meshing considerations as well as the advantages and limitations of the microplane triad model are discussed. 

Presenting Author: Kedar Kirane Stony Brook University

Presenting Author Biography: Prof. Kedar Kirane is an associate professor of Mechanical Engineering at Stony Brook University, New York. His research focuses on characterizing, understanding, and predicting the fracturing and scaling behavior of various conventional and advanced composite materials. These include brittle materials, fiber reinforced composites, polymer nanocomposites, geological and cementitious materials, and soft materials. His research combines experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches. The overarching goal is to develop reliable predictive capabilities and sound scientific bases for safe structural designs in various engineering applications. Prof. Kirane obtained his Ph.D. in 2014 from Northwestern University and joined the Mechanical Engineering faculty at Stony Brook University in Sept 2017. He also holds an M.S. degree from the Ohio State University (2007) and a B.S from the University of Pune, India (2004), both in mechanical engineering. Prior to joining Stony Brook, Prof. Kirane worked in industry, as a finite element analyst at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co and later as a senior research engineer at ExxonMobil Corp. His research is supported by DOD ARO, DOD ONR, and ASME. He is the recipient of the 2020 Orr Early Career Award by ASME’s Materials Division, the 2019 DOD ARO Young Investigator Award, and the 2018 Haythornthwaite Research Initiation Grant by ASME’s Applied Mechanics Division.

Authors:

Kedar Kirane Stony Brook University
Jamshid Ochilov Stony Brook University
Taufiq Abdullah Stony Brook University