New Numerical Modeling for Impact Dynamics Behavior of Composite Honeycomb Sandwich Structures

In the applications of composite honeycomb sandwich structures, they often are severely impacted, resulting in partial penetration or complete perforation. To study the mechanical response of composite honeycomb sandwich structures under high-velocity impact, an extended P-alpha model was developed to describe the equivalent property of honeycomb materials. Extended P-alpha model parameters were determined using analytical and experimental techniques. Based on the equivalent model, the impact response had good agreement between the experimental results and numerical simulation. By comparison with the detailed model in terms of ballistic limit, residual velocity, maximum displacement of the projectile, and contact time, the results from the equivalent model are not only reliable but also computationally efficient, because the equivalent model requires only 25% as much time as the detailed model under the same conditions.