Meso-scale modelling of 3D woven composite T-joints with weave variations

A meso-scale modelling framework is proposed to simulate the 3D woven fibre architectures and the mechanical performance of the composite T-joints, subjected to quasi-static tensile pull-off loading. The proposed method starts with building the realistic reinforcement geometries of the 3D woven T-joints at the mesoscale, of which the modelling strategy is applicable for other types of geometries with weave variations at the T-joint junction. Damage modelling incorporates both interface and constituent material damage, in conjunction with a continuum damage mechanics approach to account for the progressive failure behaviour. With a voxel based cohesive zone model, the proposed method is able to model mode I delamination based on the voxel mesh technique, which has advantages in meshing. Predicted results are in good agreement with experimental data beyond initial failure, in terms of load-displacement responses, failure events, damage initiation and propagation. The significant effect of fibre architecture variations on mechanical behaviour is successfully predicted through this modelling method without any further correlation of input parameters in damage model. This predictive method will facilitate the design and optimisation of 3D woven T-joint preforms

Rubber Impact on 3D Textile Composites

A low velocity impact study of aircraft tire rubber on 3D textile-reinforced composite plates was performed experimentally and numerically. In contrast to regular unidirectional composite laminates, no delaminations occur in such a 3D textile composite. Yarn decohesions, matrix cracks and yarn ruptures have been identified as the major damage mechanisms under impact load. An increase in the number of 3D warp yarns is proposed to improve the impact damage resistance. The characteristic of a rubber impact is the high amount of elastic energy stored in the impactor during impact, which was more than 90% of the initial kinetic energy. This large geometrical deformation of the rubber during impact leads to a less localised loading of the target structure and poses great challenges for the numerical modelling. A hyperelastic Mooney-Rivlin constitutive law was used in Abaqus/Explicit based on a step-by-step validation with static rubber compression tests and low velocity impact tests on aluminium plates. Simulation models of the textile weave were developed on the meso- and macro-scale. The final correlation between impact simulation results on 3D textile-reinforced composite plates and impact test data was promising, highlighting the potential of such numerical simulation tools

Strain rate effect on the mechanical behaviour of a textile reinforced cement composite

The static tensile behaviour of Textile Reinforced Cement Composites is known and can be modeled adequately. However, using these static material properties under dynamic loadings such as impact and seismic loadings, can cause over- or underestimation of the material due to effects of strain rate. This work focuses on the strain rate dependency of a specific textile reinforced cement composite under tensile loadings at strain rates equivalent to quasi static applications towards low velocity impacts. It was found that the main damage mechanisms of this material stay the same. However cracking of the cement matrix is delayed to higher stress levels

A review of contemporary techniques for measuring ergonomic wear comfort of protective and sport clothing

Protective and sport clothing is governed by protection requirements, performance, and comfort of the user. The comfort and impact performance of protective and sport clothing are typically subjectively measured, and this is a multifactorial and dynamic process. The aim of this review paper is to review the contemporary methodologies and approaches for measuring ergonomic wear comfort, including objective and subjective techniques. Special emphasis is given to the discussion of different methods, such as objective techniques, subjective techniques, and a combination of techniques, as well as a new biomechanical approach called modeling of skin. Literature indicates that there are four main techniques to measure wear comfort: subjective evaluation, objective measurements, a combination of subjective and objective techniques, and computer modeling of human–textile interaction. In objective measurement methods, the repeatability of results is excellent, and quantified results are obtained, but in some cases, such quantified results are quite different from the real perception of human comfort. Studies indicate that subjective analysis of comfort is less reliable than objective analysis because human subjects vary among themselves. Therefore, it can be concluded that a combination of objective and subjective measuring techniques could be the valid approach to model the comfort of textile materials

Compression properties of polymeric syntactic foam composites under cyclic loading

Syntactic foams are composite materials frequently used in applications requiring the properties of low density and high damage tolerance. In the present work, polymer-based syntactic foams were studied under cyclic compression in order to investigate their compressibility, recoverability, energy dissipation and damage tolerance. These syntactic foams were manufactured by adding hollow polymer microspheres of various sizes and wall thicknesses into a polyurethane matrix. The associated loading and unloading curves during cyclic testing were recorded, revealing the viscoelastic nature of the materials. SEM images of the samples were obtained in order to study potential damage mechanisms during compression. It was observed that these syntactic foams exhibit high elastic recovery and energy dissipation over a wide range of compressional strains and the addition of polymer microspheres mitigate the damage under compressional loading.Comment: 25 pages, 13 figure

Assessment and preliminary model development of shape memory polymers mechanical counter pressure space suits

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, 2013.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-41).This thesis seeks to assess the viability of a space qualified shape memory polymer (SMP) mechanical counter pressure (MCP) suit. A key development objective identified by the International Space Exploration Coordination Group, the development of a superior space suit with greater mobility and environmental robustness is necessary to support long-range human space exploration, specifically a mission to Mars. Conceptualized in 1971, a spacesuit utilizing MCP would fulfill these goals but its development was halted due to inadequate mechanical analysis and material limitations at the time. Since then, new active materials have been assessed to potentially further the development of a space qualified MCP space suit, which include quantitative thresholds for minimum pressure production, durability, pressure distribution, mobility range, and ease of garment donning and doffing. Guided by these criteria, a SMP biaxial tubular braid applying MCP through active compression was designed and the prototype manufacturing processes were outlined. To predict the pressure production of this garment, the thermo-mechanics of a SMP was combined with the textile mechanics of a biaxial tubular braid and simulated within design parameter ranges consistent with the design criteria and practical considerations. The pressure production was controllable with the design parameters SMP elastic modulus, garment radial deformation, textile fiber spacing, and operational temperature. Assuming reasonable model accuracy, a SMP garment could achieve the necessary pressure production for a space qualified MCP suit, however, the durability of such a garment would be questionable considering the creep sustained from consecutive spacewalks of four to eight hours. Recommendations are made for methods to increase model accuracy, suggested SMP actuation mechanisms, and alternative textile architectures.by Brian Wee.S.B

Wrinkling in engineering fabrics: a comparison between two different comprehensive modelling approaches

We consider two ‘comprehensive’ modelling approaches for engineering fabrics. We distinguish the two approaches using the terms ‘semi-discrete’ and ‘continuum’, reflecting their natures. We demonstrate a fitting procedure, used to identify the constitutive parameters of the continuum model from predictions of the semi-discrete model, the parameters of which are in turn fitted to experimental data. We, then, check the effectiveness of the continuum model by verifying the correspondence between semi-discrete and continuum model predictions using test cases not previously used in the identification process. Predictions of both modelling approaches are compared against full-field experimental kinematic data, obtained using stereoscopic digital image correlation techniques, and also with measured force data. Being a reduced order model and being implemented in an implicit rather than an explicit finite-element code, the continuum model requires significantly less computational power than the semi-discrete model and could therefore be used to more efficiently explore the mechanical response of engineering fabrics