Effect of Assumed Tow Architecture on Predicted Moduli and Stresses in Plain Weave Composites

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of assumed tow architecture on the predicted moduli and stresses in plain weave textile composites. In particular, the effect of how a constant cross-section is assumed to sweep-out the volume of a tow is explored. Two architectures are examined which have a sinusoidal tow path and a lenticular cross-section. Three-dimensional finite elements are employed to model a T300/Epoxy plain weave composite with symmetrically stacked mats. Macroscopically homogeneous in-plane extension and shear and transverse shear loadings were considered. Symmetries are exploited which permitted modeling of only 1/32nd of the unit cell. Accounting for the variation of material properties throughout each element is determined to be necessary for accurate prediction of stresses in the composite. For low waviness, the two tow architectures examined are very similar. At high waviness, the stress predictions are much more sensitive to the assumed tow geometry.

Local damage in a 5-harness satin weave composite under static tension: Part II – Meso-FE modelling

“…[5,[21][22][23] along with the volume averaging technique. By applying the 3D PBC, the above mentioned six independent unit load cases are solved.…”

“…In order to simulate the stress and damage behavior inside the laminate, FE analysis is started with a single unit cell by applying 3D PBCs [5,22], which corresponds to the unit cell located in the middle of the laminate. During the loading process, at <0.2%> of the applied average tensile strain in the warp direction ( Fig.…”

Modelling of Failure of Woven Composites. Part 2: Experimental and Numerical Justification of the Interzone Concept

“…The approach has been to show that previous experimental or numerical analyses [7,9,19,29] of the failure of woven composites under classic loading configurations, (tensile loading, bending) can be easily retrieved by using the interzone concept (Tables 1, 2, 3,4,5).…”

Development of Numerical Constitutive Models for Carbon-Carbon Composites

“…The literature includes a wide variety of analyses for various unit cells. For example, some of the recent numerical studies have focused on hexagonal and square arrays of fibers in matrix [1][2][3][4], spherical inclusions in matrix [5], and textile composites [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. The latter configuration, textile composites, presents a severe challenge to the analyst because of the geometric complexity.…”

“…The latter configuration, textile composites, presents a severe challenge to the analyst because of the geometric complexity. Although a variety of analyses exist, including some very detailed threedimensional finite element analyses [7][8][9][10][11][12][13], there has not been a systematic description of how one obtains the boundary conditions to perform the analysis of textile composites. Reference [14] gives an excellent discussion of exploiting symmetry in general.…”