Development of an impact damage model for medium and large scale composite laminates using stacked-shell modeling: Verification and experimental validation

In the present work, the predictive capabilities of a Finite Element (FE) damage model developed for accurate and efficient analysis of medium to large scale structures are investigated. The proposed damage model is based on stacked sublaminate modeling approaches with cohesive interfaces. A pre-failure elastic response verification procedure is followed by model validation, performed by a Mode-I fracture toughness experimental campaign, from which the model predictive capabilities in interlaminar damage initiation and propagation are assessed. The analysis is then extended to the simulation of low velocity impact experiments found in the open literature, investigating the capabilities of the proposed model in intralaminar and interlaminar damage prediction. The results demonstrate the proposed methodology's accuracy and efficiency in the simulation of laminated composites under static and impact conditions.