Numerical and experimental investigation on the oblique successive impact behavior and accumulated damage characteristics of fiber metal laminates.

This paper mainly investigates the dynamic response and accumulated damage characteristics of fiber metal laminate (FML) under successive impact loads through numerical and experimental methods. Firstly, the experimental tests are conducted to measure the successive impact response and explore the damage morphologies of FML under four times impacts of 10 J. Then, an integrated successive numerical model is developed to predict the impact behavior and characterize the failure mechanisms of FML, whose accuracy and reliability are well demonstrated. Subsequently, in virtue of the developed numerical model, different oblique successive impact loads are implemented on FMLs to characterize the interface delamination evolution and energy absorption. And the damage tolerances of FMLs under different impact angles are further simulated and compared. The conclusions indicate that the stiffness of FML and impact force experiences an evident enhancement after the first impact because of the strain hardening phenomenon of metal material. In addition, according to the number of impacts, the damage tolerance of FML can be improved at the greater impact angle. And for the last impact event, the metal crack propagation, the further fiber/matrix damage and even the penetration of metal layer will dissipate more successive impact energy. • Experimental tests are conducted to measure the successive impact behavior of FMLs. • An integrated numerical model for successive impacts is developed and validated. • Delamination damage and energy absorption characteristic are further explored. • Damage tolerances of FMLs under various impact angles are numerically predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]