Applicability evaluation of damage evolution models in simulating repeated low-velocity impact behavior of composite laminates

This study aims to provide a valuable reference for selecting appropriate damage evolution models (DEMs) when simulating the behavior of repeated low-velocity impacts (LVIs). Four DEMs are systematically evaluated in simulating mechanical response, dissipated energy, damage evolution, and accumulation under three repeated impacts. 3D Puck failure criteria and various DEMs combined with element characteristic lengths associated with physical fracture modes are used to predict repeated LVI damage behavior. Delamination behavior is simulated by zero-thickness cohesive elements. Two damage indexes are proposed to quantify and compare the damage distribution and accumulation. The post-peak softening and LVI behavior predicted by four DEMs are compared and verified through representative volume elements simulation and LVI experiments. The findings reveal that DEMs have varying degrees of influence on the mechanical response, damage evolution, damage distribution, and accumulation under repeated impacts. The exponential models proposed by P. Maimi et al. and Matzenmiller et al. are more suitable to simulate mechanical response or damage accumulation behavior under repeated impacts than the linear damage evolution model due to their non-linear post-peak softening characteristics. In contrast, Linde model shows brittle behavior due to the rapid damage accumulation during repeated impacts, rendering it unsuitable for repeated impact simulation.