Meso-scale Numerical Modeling of Uni-directional Composite Panel Under Ballistic Impact

Numerical modeling of uni-directional panels of ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been a difficult challenge due to multi-scale nature of materials and intimate structure of the composite panel. In order to capture detailed ballistic responses of fibers and matrix in hard panel, a simplified Finite Element (FE) model of UHMWPE fiber-reinforced composite panel under impact has been developed in this study. To simulate the structure of laminates and reduce calculation cost, a panel model was represented by six plies oriented in the direction of 0 degrees/90 degrees with fiber bundles embedded in the matrix. Fiber bundles and matrix were both assumed as three-dimension solid continuum bodies. In this way, different ballistic responses of fibers and matrix at varied regions in the panel can be identified, such as failure appearance, stress and strain distributions on fiber bundles and matrix and so on. These findings are helpful for structure optimizing of UHMWPE hard panel to achieve improvement of ballistic performance and lightweight.