Numerical Evaluation of the Thermal Properties of UD-Fibers Reinforced Composites for Different Morphologies

In this paper, the numerical homogenization technique is used to evaluate the representative volume element and to compute the effective transverse thermal properties of unidirectional fibers reinforced composites. Three unit cells are constructed including square, hexagonal and random arrangement. The results obtained by finite element analysis showed the effect of unit cells configurations on the prediction of effective transverse thermal properties of unidirectional fibers composites for a wide range of fiber volume fractions and contrasts of properties. The numerical results are compared to available analytical models in the thermal conductivity of composites and experimental test results from the literature.

Dynamic simulation of composite layered plates reinforced by unidirectional fibers subjected low velocity impact

In the recent years a big focus is subjected to the response of structures subjected to out-of-plane loading such as blasts, impact, etc. not only to homogenous materials, but also to heterogeneous materials, such as composites. In the present study, low-velocity impact response of composite laminates was studied using ANSYS Workbench finite element code (FEM). The material of composite structure is orthotropic material reinforced by carbon fibers and have been taken from the Workbench material database. Plate consists of layers which are reinforced with unidirectional fibers in hexagonal and square array. Layer is considered as homogeneous transversely isotropic and layer stacking sequence is symmetrical or unsymmetrical.

Modelling transversely isotropic fiber-reinforced composites with unidirectional fibers and microstructure

This paper develops a micropolar constitutive model for a transversely isotropic composite material comprised of a polymer matrix and unidirectional fibers. The constitutive law follows Eringen’s model for a generally anisotropic micropolar medium and reduces the model to the transversely isotropic case. The model is then used to develop a boundary value problem with a homogenization procedure, with the goal of obtaining an analytical solution for the homogenized elastic moduli once solved. A variational principle is used to develop the boundary conditions.

Ultimate strength prediction of two-dimensional tri-axial braided composites based on an analytical laminate model

An analytical laminate model was newly proposed to predict the ultimate strengths of two-dimensional tri-axial braided composites under in-plane loadings. The composite was modeled as a laminate possessing four plies. Among these four plies, there were three plies consisting of unidirectional fibers along with surrounding matrix and one ply containing only matrix. A progressive ply failure analysis was performed. A series of experiments were conducted. The present model was verified experimentally by using our and other researchers’ data. Moreover, we compared this model’s results with the numerical ones obtained by us. The results show that the present model has the potential to predict the effective elastic properties and ultimate strengths of two-dimensional tri-axial braided composites. Finally, the effect of the braid angle on the mechanical properties of a two-dimensional tri-axial braided composite was explored based on the mentioned model.