The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology for numerical evaluation of process-induced residual deformations in complex shape profiles made of composite materials with thermoset matrices. With this object in mind a mathematical model of material behavior has been implemented within ABAQUS environment, accounting for the dependence of resin thermomechanical characteristics (elastic modulus, coefficients of thermal expansion, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity) on temperature and degree of cure. The chemical reaction of thermoset resin cure (curing) is calculated based on a kinetic model. Micromechanical models are used to estimate effective characteristics of a fiber- or fabric-reinforced composite within the frames of a model of transversely isotropic medium. To illustrate the applicability of developed evaluation methodology an example prediction of warping in a pultruded glass-fiber reinforced C-section profile used in bridge construction is provided. Predicted changes in the angle formed by the leg and the web of the C-section during fabrication comprised 0.6°.
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