An investigation into an advanced composites finite element explicit biphase model - Part I: Elastic Parameters

The elastic and damage parameters of the 'biphase' composite material and degradation model contained in the explicit finite element code, Pam-Shock, have been investigated in Parts I and II, respectively. The biphase analysis is a relatively new methodology aiming at accurately predicting the complex damage responses of composite structures to dynamic loading conditions. The intricacy of the damage mechanism dealt with hence calls for a broad range of elastic and damage parameters to be defined within the analysis before a solution corresponding to real case scenarios can be achieved. This investigation focuses on the unknown effects of such parameters and has been successful in identifying the significance and sensitivities that the variation of the parameters impose on the predicted outputs. It was established that the variation of some of the parameters, such as Poisson's ratio, can cause a considerable deviation from the reference run, thus making it imperative to concentrate on deriving accurate empirical values to be used against such material properties within the analysis. A brief tabulated summary demonstrates the strengths and limitations of the model in predicting the response of advanced composite structures to impact events.