This article presents a three-dimensional constitutive model to replicate the dynamic response of blastloaded
fibre–metal laminates made of 2024-0 aluminium alloy and woven composite (glass fibre–reinforced
polypropylene). Simulation of the dynamic response is challenging when extreme localised loads are of
concern and requires reliable material constitutive models as well as accurate modelling techniques. It is well
known that back layers in a fibre–metal laminate provide structural support for front layers; thus, proper
modelling of constituent failure and degradation is essential to understanding structural damage and failure.
The improved developed model to analyse damage initiation, progression and failure of the composite is
implemented in finite element code ABAQUS, and a good correlation is observed with experimental results
for displacements of the back and front faces as presented by other researchers. The model was also able to
predict accurately the tearing impulses. Finally, the concepts of the ‘efficiency of the charge’ and ‘effectiveness
of the target’ are proposed in the context of localised blast loading on a structure. Dimensionless parameters
are introduced to quantify these parameters.