iPACM Research Areas

iPACM research group researches a variety of aspects of composite performance ranging from high-velocity ballistic impact studies to single fiber impact computations.

Penetration Mechanics

Penetration Mechanics: Penetration mechanics of composites is an active field of research where we are developing new penetration theories, developing energy-based depth of penetration (DoP) data analysis methodologies, identifying energy-dissipating damage mechanisms, and correlating penetration parameters with elastic and strength properties of composite materials.

Paper #1: Depth of penetration of Dyneema® HB26 hard-ballistic laminates

Paper #2: Depth of penetration experiments of S-2 glass/epoxy composites: A new experimental methodology in determining the rate-dependent dynamic crush strength of composites

Paper #3: Investigation of normal, lateral, and oblique impact of microscale projectiles into unidirectional glass/epoxy composites

Perforation Mechanics

Perforation Mechanics: Perforation mechanics is related to thin-section composites, where we are developing computational models of impact experiments, validating computational models with "1D Fiber Theory (Smith & Rakhmatulin)," and "2D Membrane Theory (Phoenix & Porwal)," and using the validated models in identifying the perforation behavior and energy-dissipating damage mechanisms of UHMWPE soft-ballistic sub-laminates (SBSLs), hard-ballistic soft-laminates (HBSLs), high-performance fabric armors.

Paper #1: Modeling transverse impact on UHMWPE soft-ballistic sub-laminate (SBSL)

Paper #2: Perforation mechanics of UHMWPE soft-ballistic sub-laminate (SBSL) and soft-ballistic armor pack (SBAP): A finite element study

Low Velocity Impact

Low-Velocity Impact (LVI): Low-velocity impact

Paper #1: Low-velocity impact experiments of S-2 glass-epoxy composites under different environmental conditions

Paper #2: Low Velocity Impact on Plain Weave S-2 Glass/DER353 Composites with the Corner of a Cube and a Hemi-Cylinder: Experiments and Simulations

Micro Mechanical Modeling

Paper #1: Punch Crush of Unidirectional Composites at Sub-Millimeter Length Scale: Experiments and Simulations

Paper #2: Micromechanical finite element prediction of interlaminar traction-separation laws using j-integral approach

Paper #3: Micromechanical Finite Element Modeling of Unidirectional Composites in Three Dimensions: Prediction of Transverse Tensile & Compressive, Transverse Shear & In-Plane Shear Progressive Damage Behavior

Paper #4

Multiscale Modeling

Multi-Scale Modeling and Simulations: Multi-scale modeling and simulations

Paper #1

Split Hopkinson Bar Experiments

Paper #1: Hopkinson bar experimental technique: A critical review

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Graphene and CNT Science

Chowdhury, S. C., (Gama) Haque, B. Z., Okabe, T., and Gillespie Jr., J. W. “Modeling the Effect of Statistical Variations in Length & Diameter of Randomly Oriented CNTs on the Properties of CNT Reinforced Nanocomposites.” Composites Part B. 2012, (doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2012.01.066).

Paper #2

Paper #3

Paper #4

Micro Erosion of Composites

Christopher S. Meyer, Isabel G. Catugas, John W. Gillespie Jr, Bazle Z. Gama Haque. Investigation of normal, lateral, and oblique impact of microscale projectiles into unidirectional glass/epoxy composites. Defence Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dt.2021.08.012, Available online 28 August 2021.

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