Numerical and experimental studies of damage generation in multi-layer composite materials at high strain rates

The behavior of a multi-layer material at high strain rate and the damage evolution–propagation inside the specimen were investigated by a combination of experimental and numerical techniques. Damage mechanisms were studied in multi-layer materials containing a ceramic front layer and composite backing layers subjected to large strains under high strain rate loading. This information was used to validate numerical models developed to aid in the design and optimization of multi-layer materials. The JH-2 model was used to simulate the damage evolution and dynamic failure of the ceramic. The feasibility of extending the current elastic numerical models for high strain rate loading of complex multi-layer materials into the higher strain and strain rate regimes where significant damage begins to occur was demonstrated. This work is currently being further developed to include damage modes in the composite backing plate and, hence, yield a complete overall description of deformation and damage processes.