Parametric Modeling Method for Composite Microstructure Virtual Testing

2010 ◽  
Vol 97-101 ◽  
pp. 1661-1664
Author(s):  
Zhen Qing Wang ◽  
Xiao Qiang Wang ◽  
Ji Feng Zhang ◽  
Song Zhou

A method of parametric modeling composite microstructure is proposed. It can be used for composite microstructure virtual testing and optimization procedure. Considering the fiber random distribution features of composite microstructure and the flaw distribution in the fibers, a three dimensional parametric model has been built in this paper. Then, the sizes of the composite representative volume element (RVE) generated by the method are determined by moving-window function method. These models are close to reality and can be used for further virtual testing. Finally, numerical experiment is presented by the secondary development of the finite element packages (ABAQUS) via Python language programming to verify the proposed method. The following conclusions are obtained: (i) fiber volume fraction of the composite structure model reaches 65% by the modeling method, which meets the majority engineering demands; (ii) stress distribution feature of RVE generated by using moving-window function method coincides with general prediction.

2021 ◽  
pp. 002199832110047
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Mohamed ◽  
Siddhartha Brahma ◽  
Haibin Ning ◽  
Selvum Pillay

Fiber prestressing during matrix curing can significantly improve the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced polymer composites. One primary reason behind this improvement is the generated compressive residual stress within the cured matrix, which impedes cracks initiation and propagation. However, the prestressing force might diminish progressively with time due to the creep of the compressed matrix and the relaxation of the tensioned fiber. As a result, the initial compressive residual stress and the acquired improvement in mechanical properties are prone to decline over time. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the mechanical properties of the prestressed composites as time proceeds. This study monitors the change in the tensile and flexural properties of unidirectional prestressed glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites over a period of 12 months after manufacturing. The composites were prepared using three different fiber volume fractions 25%, 30%, and 40%. The results of mechanical testing showed that the prestressed composites acquired an initial increase up to 29% in the tensile properties and up to 32% in the flexural properties compared to the non-prestressed counterparts. Throughout the 12 months of study, the initial increase in both tensile and flexural strength showed a progressive reduction. The loss ratio of the initial increase was observed to be inversely proportional to the fiber volume fraction. For the prestressed composites fabricated with 25%, 30%, and 40% fiber volume fraction, the initial increase in tensile and flexural strength dropped by 29%, 25%, and 17%, respectively and by 34%, 26%, and 21%, respectively at the end of the study. Approximately 50% of the total loss took place over the first month after the manufacture, while after the sixth month, the reduction in mechanical properties became insignificant. Tensile modulus started to show a very slight reduction after the fourth/sixth month, while the flexural modulus reduction was observed from the beginning. Although the prestressed composites displayed time-dependent losses, their long-term mechanical properties still outperformed the non-prestressed counterparts.


2021 ◽  
pp. 152808372110003
Author(s):  
M Atta ◽  
A Abu-Sinna ◽  
S Mousa ◽  
HEM Sallam ◽  
AA Abd-Elhady

The bending test is one of the most important tests that demonstrates the advantages of functional gradient (FGM) materials, thanks to the stress gradient across the specimen depth. In this research, the flexural response of functionally graded polymeric composite material (FGM) is investigated both experimentally and numerically. Fabricated by a hand lay-up manufacturing technique, the unidirectional glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite composed of ten layers is used in the present investigation. A 3-D finite element simulation is used to predict the flexural strength based on Hashin’s failure criterion. To produce ten layers of FGM beams with different patterns, the fiber volume fraction ( Vf%) ranges from 10% to 50%. A comparison between FGM beams and conventional composite beams having the same average Vf% is made. The experimental results show that the failure of the FGM beams under three points bending loading (3PB) test is initiated from the tensioned layers, and spread to the upper layer. The spreading is followed by delamination accompanied by shear failures. Finally, the FGM beams fail due to crushing in the compression zone. Furthermore, the delamination failure between the layers has a major effect on the rapidity of the final failure of the FGM beams. The present numerical results show that the gradient pattern of FGM beams is a critical parameter for improving their flexural behavior. Otherwise, Vf% of the outer layers of the FGM beams, i.e. Vf% = 30, 40, or 50%, is responsible for improving their flexural strength.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1423
Author(s):  
George Stefanou ◽  
Dimitrios Savvas ◽  
Panagiotis Metsis

The purpose of this paper is to determine the random spatially varying elastic properties of concrete at various scales taking into account its highly heterogeneous microstructure. The reconstruction of concrete microstructure is based on computed tomography (CT) images of a cubic concrete specimen. The variability of the local volume fraction of the constituents (pores, cement paste and aggregates) is quantified and mesoscale random fields of the elasticity tensor are computed from a number of statistical volume elements obtained by applying the moving window method on the specimen along with computational homogenization. Based on the statistical characteristics of the mesoscale random fields, it is possible to assess the effect of randomness in microstructure on the mechanical behavior of concrete.


2021 ◽  
pp. 152808372110013
Author(s):  
Vivek R Jayan ◽  
Lekhani Tripathi ◽  
Promoda Kumar Behera ◽  
Michal Petru ◽  
BK Behera

The internal geometry of composite material is one of the most important factors that influence its performance and service life. A new approach is proposed for the prediction of internal geometry and tensile behavior of the 3 D (three dimensional) woven fabrics by creating the unit cell using mathematical coding. In many technical applications, textile materials are subjected to rates of loading or straining that may be much greater in magnitude than the regular household applications of these materials. The main aim of this study is to provide a generalized method for all the structures. By mathematical coding, unit cells of 3 D woven orthogonal, warp interlock and angle interlock structures have been created. The study then focuses on developing code to analyze the geometrical parameters of the fabric like fabric thickness, areal density, and fiber volume fraction. Then, the tensile behavior of the coded 3 D structures is studied in Ansys platform and the results are compared with experimental values for authentication of geometrical parameters as well as for tensile behavior. The results show that the mathematical coding approach is a more efficient modeling technique with an acceptable error percentage.


2019 ◽  
Vol 253 ◽  
pp. 02004
Author(s):  
Wael Alnahhal ◽  
Omar Aljidda

This study investigates the effect of using different volume fractions of basalt macro fibers (BMF) on the flexural behavior of concrete beams made with 100% recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) experimentally. A total of 4 reinforced concrete (RC) beam specimens were flexural tested until failure. The parameter investigated included the BMF volume fraction (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%). The testing results of the specimens were compared to control beam specimen made with no added fibers. The experimental results showed that adding BMF improves the flexural capacity of the tested beams.


2010 ◽  
Vol 168-170 ◽  
pp. 2037-2043
Author(s):  
Yin Gu ◽  
Wei Dong Zhuo ◽  
Yu Ting Qiu

This paper proposes a concept of layered fiber reinforced concrete (LFRC) beam. In the concept of a LFRC beam, low-modulus fiber and high-modulus fiber are randomly dispersed and uniformly distributed into the concrete matries of the compression and tension zones, respectively. The static behaviors of LFRC beam are investigated from both experimental and numerical aspects. Four-point bending tests are performed on two simply supported T-shaped LFRC beam specimens and an ordinary T-shaped RC beam specimen with large scales. Comparison between the testing results of LFRC and RC beam specimens shows that the initial cracking load, flexural toughness and post-yielding stiffness of a LFRC beam can be significantly improved, but the ultimate loads are nearly without change. Numerical simulations are also carried out to investigate the static behaviors of the LFRC beam specimens. It is found that the simulation results are agreed well with that of tests. Further numerical parameter analysis for the LFRC beam specimens is conducted. The effects of high-modulus fiber volume fraction on the static behaviors of LFRC beams are studied. The research results show that the additions of high-modulus fibers have little effect on the initial stiffness, yielding loads and ultimate loads of LFRC beams; both the load and displacement at the initial cracking point increase linearly with the increasing volume fraction of the high-modulus fiber, but both the yielding displacement and ultimate displacement decrease linearly with the increasing volume fraction of the high-modulus fiber.


2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (11) ◽  
pp. 1443-1455
Author(s):  
Mike Mühlstädt ◽  
Wolfgang Seifert ◽  
Matthias ML Arras ◽  
Stefan Maenz ◽  
Klaus D Jandt ◽  
...  

Three-dimensional stiffness tensors of laminated woven fabrics used in high-performance composites need precise prediction. To enhance the accuracy in three-dimensional stiffness tensor prediction, the fabric’s architecture must be precisely modeled. We tested the hypotheses that: (i) an advanced geometrical model describes the meso-level structure of different fabrics with a precision higher than established models, (ii) the deviation between predicted and experimentally determined mean fiber-volume fraction ( cf) of laminates is below 5%. Laminates of different cf and fabrics were manufactured by resin transfer molding. The laminates’ meso-level structure was determined by analyzing scanning electron microscopy images. The prediction of the laminates’ cf was improved by up to 5.1 vol% ([Formula: see text]%) compared to established models. The effect of the advanced geometrical model on the prediction of the laminate’s in-plane stiffness was shown by applying a simple mechanical model. Applying an advanced geometrical model may lead to more accurate simulations of parts for example in automotive and aircraft.


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