REALISTIC FEA MODELING OF 3D WOVEN COMPOSITES ON MESOSCALE

摘要

Mesoscale modeling of three-dimensional woven composites presents significant challenges related to accurate representation of as-woven geometry of the reinforcement [1]. There are two approaches most commonly used to define the geometry of reinforcement. One is based on the nominal description of composite, and the other one involves fabric mechanics simulations. In our previous publications, we attempted to evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of these two approaches for prediction of the overall elastic properties and residual stresses due to curing for the so-called ply-to-ply reinforcement architecture, see [2]. In this paper, we present a straightforward procedure to develop realistic finite element models of unit cells for 3D woven composites based on the aswoven reinforcement geometry obtained by the textile modeling software DFMA [3]. We consider two configurations of an orthogonally reinforced composite and describe all steps of the model development. Numerical simulations to predict the overall elastic moduli and evaluate the materials' potential to develop high residual stresses due to curing are described.