the Discrete Ply Model

The DPM, developed at Institut Clément Ader for a decade, allows to notably simulate UD composite plates under low velocity impact, pull-out, loading around notch.

This is a phenomenological model at the sub-ply scale, implemented thanks to the Abaqus Explicit material user law (VUMAT).

There is one volumic element in the depth of each ply. Cohesive elements are used to represent matrix cracking and delamination, whereas the fiber failure is represented with an equivalent damage law in the volume elements (see next figure), thus representing the three main damage mechanisms of UD composites.