A Numerical and Experimental Study on the Impact Behavior of a Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) Composite

The goal of the present study was to investigate the low-speed impact behavior and damage patterns of carbonfiber-reinforced methyl methacrylate composites. The process of low-speed impact damage in the composites was simulated using the finite-element method and verified experimentally. Orthotropic plane stress conditions of a homogenized lamina were used to model the composite structures. The evolution of damage was simulated, using the LS-DYNA finite-element code, by material models MAT58 based on the Matzenmiller damage mechanics model with four Hashin failure criteria and MAT54 based on four Chang-Chang failure criteria. The damage variables were determined calibrating the numerical model according to the experimental data of three-pointbending and impact tests. Detailed quantitative comparisons were carried out between the delaminated areas simulated by the model and those characterized experimentally by the ultrasonic C-Scan method. Results of the numerical analyses demonstrated their good agreement with experimental data in terms of contact force histories, peak forces, absorbed energy, and projected damage area.