Modelling and Characterisation of UD Thermoplastic Laminates under Dynamic Loading

This paper describes work-in-progress on modelling and characterisation of an AS4/PEEK UD composite undergoing compression at the range of loading rates from 1 x 10-3 s-1 to 2 x 10-3 s-1. The material at quasistatic rates was tested by using a servo hydraulic test machine, whilst the high strain rate testing was conducted by using Split Hopkinson Pressure bar (SHPB) rig. Simulation programme was conducted with LS Dyna explicit solver where the composite was modelled at quasi-continuum and micro scale with linear hexahedral solid elements. A selection of experimental results was compared to simulation results and the results agree well in terms of measured maximum stress at failure and effective laminate stress obtained in the simulation.