Z-fiber influence on high speed penetration of 3D orthogonal woven fiber composites

•We model 3D OWC under high speed impact to investigate the role of Z-fibers using a meso scale model.•The damage patterns matched very well with experimental results.•Z –fiber provided penetration resistance mostly by structural effects.•Z-fibers were prone to debonding at crown ends and failed to arrest shear damage.•Anisotropic damage waves significantly alter traditional theoretical membrane model.