Strain Rate Effects in Ballistic Analyses of Bonded & Co-Cured Composite Structures (MSC P1G26-106)

The objective of the Phase I study is to develop a fully integrated design tool for performance evaluation of bonded/co-cured composite structures subject to ballistic and hydrodynamic loading. This tool will have the applicability in the development ofemerging military air vehicles with enhanced hydrodynamic ram/ballistic survivability. Previous research work performed at Materials Sciences Corporation (MSC) has successfully demonstrated the integration of advanced composite progressive failure modelsinto LS-DYNA for accurate prediction of deformation and failure of various composite structures subjected to ballistic and blast impacts. The Phase I program will extend the current MSC failure models to include strain-rate dependent progressive failurefor bonded and co-cured composite materials with z-reinforcements. The developed material models will be critically evaluated and calibrated by correlating with existing rate-dependent data of stress-strain response as well as bonded composite jointfailure behavior. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company will provide existing test data and engineering consultation in this Phase I program as a subcontractor to MSC.This program will provide a design tool with enhanced analytical capability for modelingof a composite bonded structure on future air vehicles. This technology has excellent potential in survivability design of various composite structures. Application will include both military and civil markets such as aircraft, armored vehicles, surfacemarine craft and submarines, helmets, and blast resistance structures.