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Effect of ply-group thickness on the damage mechanisms in CFRP cross-ply laminates under low-velocity impact
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DOI：10.1016/j.compositesb.2026.114063.png)
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Abstract
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This study investigates the effects of ply-group thickness on the damage mechanisms in carbon-fiber epoxy composites under low-velocity impact (LVI) through experimental and numerical approaches. Two cross-ply laminate configurations—[04/904/02]s (thick-ply) and [02/902/02/902/02]s (thin-ply)—were examined. Our in situ experiments captured full-field strain distributions using digital image correlation (DIC), micro-scale damage observations using a traveling microscope, and the full sequence of damage progression through high-speed photography. Three-dimensional finite element simulations of these experiments are performed using a continuum damage mechanics-based material model and cohesive zone model in ABAQUS/Explicit. The experiments reveal a distinct change in damage mechanisms as ply-group thickness decreases—from off-center matrix cracking inducing delamination in thick-ply laminates to central matrix cracking causing delamination and fiber breakage in thin-ply laminates. The simulations reproduce the experimentally observed deformation fields and damage sequences, and provide a mechanistic explanation of the underlying mechanisms behind different damage modes. The simulations also provide evidence supporting the in-situ strength concept: a comparison between models using ply strengths measured from unidirectional laminate tests and those using in-situ strengths shows that the experimentally observed failure sequence is reproduced only when in-situ strengths are incorporated. This study makes a significant contribution through its direct experimental evidence and simulation-based insights, filling a critical gap in understanding how ply-group thickness influences damage mechanisms.
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