Meso-FE modelling of textile composites: Road map, data flow and algorithms

• Published in: Composites science and technology Vol. 67; no. 9; pp. 1870 - 1891
• Main Authors: Lomov, Stepan V., Ivanov, Dmitry S., Verpoest, Ignaas, Zako, Masaru, Kurashiki, Tetsusei, Nakai, Hiroaki, Hirosawa, Satoru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Finite elements; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Internal geometry; Laminates; Meso-modelling; Micro-mechanics; Multi-level analysis; Physics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Technology of polymers; Textile composites; Textile composites; Finite elements; Multi-level analysis; Micro-mechanics; Internal geometry; Meso-modelling; Laminate; Mechanical model; Stress strain relation; Fiber reinforced material; Epoxy resin; Theoretical study; Mechanical properties; Tensile property; Modeling; Composite material; Finite element method; Mesoscale; Numerical simulation; Woven material; Braided fabric; Damaging
• ISSN: 0266-3538; 1879-1050
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2006.10.017

Meso-scale (unit cell of an impregnated textile reinforcement) finite element (FE) modelling of textile composites is a powerful tool for homogenisation of mechanical properties, study of stress–strain fields inside the unit cell, determination of damage initiation conditions and sites and simulation of damage development and associated deterioration of the homogenised mechanical properties of the composite. Meso-FE can be considered as a part of the micro-meso–macro multi-level modelling process, with micro-models (fibres in the matrix) providing material properties for homogenised impregnated yarns and fibrous plies, and macro-model (structural analysis) using results of meso-homogenisation. The paper discusses stages of the meso-FE analysis and proposes a succession of steps (“road map”) and the corresponding algorithms for it: (1) Building a model of internal geometry of the reinforcement; (2) Transferring the geometry into a volume description (“solid” CAD-model); (3) Preparation for meshing: correction of the interpenetration of volumes of yarns in the solid model and providing space for the thin matrix layers between the yarns; (4) Meshing; (5) Assigning local material properties of the impregnated yarns and the matrix; (6) Definition of the minimum possible unit cell using symmetry of the reinforcement and assigning periodic boundary conditions; (7) Homogenisation procedure; (8) Damage initiation criteria; (9) Damage propagation modelling. The “road map” is illustrated by examples of meso-FE analysis of woven and braided composites.