No abstract

No abstract

This paper presents an improved constitutive model having application in finite element analysis of composites made of hyperelastic matrix with biased woven fabric reinforcement and is based on a pragmatic approach and the continuum mechanics theory. A generalised strain energy function is developed via a series of uniaxial tests in fibre warp and weft directions and via shear tests of representative samples of composite fabric. The proposed material characterisation approach is demonstrated on composites made of neoprene rubber matrix with nylon biased woven reinforcements having volume fraction composition 0·74 vol.-% neoprene and 0·26 vol.-% nylon. The material parameters in the anisotropic hyperelastic model are obtained by minimisation of least square residuals of uniaxial and pure shear energy densities against the respective strain invariants. Numerical simulations of uniaxial and bulge tests of the composites using the material model presented in this paper are shown to correspond well with results obtained from laboratory experiment.

Inflatable Offshore Fender Barrier Structures (IOFBS) are anti-terrorist security structures that function primarily to either stop terror bound vessels from reaching valuable offshore structures, incapacitate its crew or delay the vessel's progress until secondary security measures can be put in place. In this study, an advanced and efficient modelling technique for impact simulation of the structure and similar multi-physics systems is presented. Numerical implementation of this modelling technique, using Abaqus finite element code was described and used in the impact simulation of the inflatable structure based on its current design as well as an alternative design of the structure following impact of a typical vessel hull were carried out and results from the two designs provisions were compared. From the results, recommendations for improvement of the current design are also reported. This is desirable in ensuring high reliability of the structure in meeting its design objectives.