New criteria for simulating failure under multiple impacts of the same total energy on glass fiber reinforced aluminum alloy laminates

The low-velocity impact behavior of glass-fiber-reinforced aluminum alloy laminates (GLARE) is analyzed under single and multiple impacts of the same total energy. A new failure-judgment method is proposed by modifying previous failure criteria. This method is combined with a materials performance gradual degradation method and is employed by writing the LS-DYNA user subroutine for the impact simulation and testing of GLARE. The established finite-element model is proved reliable by comparing test results. Analyzing the simulated single and multiple impacts of the same total energy reveals that, GLARE sustains greatest internal damages under single impact. However, repeated impacts induce the largest deformation. If the impact frequency is maintained constant, the GLARE's damaged area widens as the initial impact energy increases. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.