Damage modelling of carbon fibre composite crush tubes: Numerical simulation and experimental validation of drop weight impact

Angle-ply carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) crush tubes were tested in drop weight impact experiments. High-fidelity computational modelling of the dynamic response was performed using explicit finite element analysis LS-DYNA. Ply-by-ply and fibre-aligned meshing used for composite lamina wherein intralaminar damage treated with a 3D rate- pressure-dependent continuum mechanics (CDM) model, implemented as user material. Delamination modelled cohesive tiebreak contacts to deal mis-matched nodes caused by use structured, mesh. The material aligned scheme shown be required capture splits observed ±45? plies. numerical predictions showed excellent correlation experimental measurements terms both mechanisms macroscopic behaviour weight. In simulation, interlaminar friction between delaminated plies seemed main contributor energy dissipation. Parameter sensitivity that interaction delamination fracture can substantially influence results stable crushing load, particular. For scenario studied here, regular structured mesh (unaligned) insufficient simulating realistic crack paths despite producing reasonable force–displacement absorbed energy.