The Effect of Graded Strength on Damage Propagation in Continuously Nonhomogeneous Materials

Abstract

A damage model developed by Johnson and Holmquist is implemented into a dynamic finite element code. This is then used to study the effect of grading of the phenomenological damage parameters on the propagation of damage through the material. The numerical results for two one-dimensional example problems with different boundary conditions are presented, wherein the effect of a gradient in the intact strength of the material on damage propagation is studied. The results show that introducing different strength gradients can alter the location of the site of maximum damage. This may have important implications in the design of impact resistant materials and structures.