A simple MATLAB draping code for fiber-reinforced composites with application to optimization of manufacturing process parameters

• Published in: Structural and multidisciplinary optimization Vol. 64; no. 1; pp. 457 - 471
• Main Authors: Krogh, Christian, Bak, Brian L. V., Lindgaard, Esben, Olesen, Asbjørn M., Hermansen, Sebastian M., Broberg, Peter H., Kepler, Jørgen A., Lund, Erik, Jakobsen, Johnny
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.07.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Algorithms; Composite materials; Computational Mathematics and Numerical Analysis; Educational Paper; Engineering; Engineering Design; Fiber composites; Fiber orientation; Matlab; Mechanical properties; Molds; Optimization; Process parameters; Structural analysis; Theoretical and Applied Mechanics; Composites; Kinematic analysis; Manufacturing optimization; Draping
• ISSN: 1615-147X; 1615-1488
• DOI: 10.1007/s00158-021-02925-z

This paper presents a simple code written in MATLAB for simulating and optimizing the draping of a composite material fabric onto a mold. Being simple and kinematically based, the algorithm can be used to predict the final fiber orientations after a fabric has adapted to a double-curved mold surface. These fiber orientations will in turn govern the mechanical properties of the composite part and a draping analysis is thus advantageous in connection with a structural analysis as well as manufacturing. The code is intended for educational purposes and can be found in the  Appendix of the paper and on the repository at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4316860 along with a Python implementation. After a description of the code, various extensions are introduced, including a framework for optimization of the draping parameters.