Properties evolution of flax/epoxy composites under fatigue loading

The tension–tension fatigue behaviour of flax fibre reinforced epoxy matrix composites have been investigated for specimens having [0]12, [90]12, [0/90]3S and [±45]3S lay-ups. The Probabilized Stress–Number of cycles (P-S–N) curves have been determined for each laminate type. The measured stress and strain data allowed to quantify the evolution of the mechanical properties, i.e. stiffness, damping and permanent strain as a function of imposed cycles. Especially, the stiffening phenomenon of flax reinforcements oriented parallel to the loading direction has been confirmed. However, due to the competition between damage development and the fibre stiffening, the increase in the longitudinal Young’s modulus was noticed on the composites depending on the ratio of fibres parallel to load direction.Région Bourgogn

Reliability approach for safe designing on a locking system

The aim of this work is to predict the failure probability of a locking system. This failure probability is assessed using complementary methods: the First-Order Reliability Method (FORM) and Second-Order Reliability Method (SORM) as approximated methods, and Monte Carlo simulations as the reference method. Both types are implemented in a specific software [Phimeca software. Software for reliability analysis developed by Phimeca Engineering S.A.] used in this study. For the Monte Carlo simulations, a response surface, based on experimental design and finite element calculations [Abaqus/Standard User’s Manuel vol. I.], is elaborated so that the relation between the random input variables and structural responses could be established. Investigations of previous reliable methods on two configurations of the locking system show the large sturdiness of the first one and enable design improvements for the second one

Scale effects on the response of composite structures under impact loading

For several years, composite materials have taken a significant part in the realization of structures designed for transport (aeronautical, nautical, automotive. . .). In order to qualify the behavior of such structures, preliminary validation tests have to be done. These specific tests are often very expensive and difficult to set up, especially when the structure dimensions are large (fuselages of aircraft, ship hulls. . .). An alternative way is then to employ small-scale models. The use of these reduced scale structures requires the identification of similitude models allowing the extrapolation of the small-scale model behavior to the real structure. Although largely developed in the case of homogeneous materials, such similitude techniques are not clearly identified for composite materials taking into account the damage evolution during an impact. The purpose of this article is firstly to present existing similitude techniques making it possible to predict the composite structure behaviour from the knowledge of small-scale model response. Secondly, experiments were done on two scale of samples carried out by stratification of unidirectional carbon/epoxy plies. These results were finally compared with the analytical predictions of similitude laws currently used. The aim of this paper is to contribute to similitude laws development applied to composite structures. These laws permit to extrapolate the small-scale model behavior to the real scale one. Existing approaches have been established following two different methods. They are summarized in this paper and applied to impact loadings on two laminated plate scales. In order to complete data collected by ‘‘conventional’’ instrumentation (force transducer, displacement sensor, accelerometer.. .), optical device such as an high-velocity CCD camera, associated with optical techniques for the monitoring of markers, were used. These techniques make possible to compare displacement lines corresponding to each scale. It is shown that existing similitude laws, used for elastic materials, do not allow to simulate the behavior of the real scale when this one is damaged

Multi-scale characterisation of material properties of composite fabrics through modal tests

One of the main issues of composite materials is related to the difficulty of characterising the material properties at mesoscopic and microscopic scales. Classical mechanical tests are not able to provide the full set of 3D properties : these tests can provide only the in-plane elastic properties of the constitutive lamina. Therefore, to go beyond the main restrictions imposed by standard destructive tests, this work deals with the problem of characterising the material properties of a multilayer composite plate, through a non-destructive modal test performed at the macro-scale : a multi-scale identification strategy (MSIS) is proposed. The MSIS aims at identifying the constitutive properties by exploiting the information restrained in the composite macroscopic dynamical response. The MSIS relies on the strain energy homogenisation technique of periodic media and on a gradient-based algorithm to perform the solution search. The identification problem is stated as a constrained inverse problem, where the objective function depends upon both experimental and numerical natural frequencies of the specimen. In this background, the optimisation variables are both geometrical and material properties of the constitutive phases composing the representative volume element. The effectiveness of the approach will be proven through a campaign of tests conducted on multilayer composites.This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 642121

Reliability approach on impacted composite materials for railways

This paper deals with a reliability approach applied on composite plates which should be used in railway structures under low velocity impact loading.Impacted composite plates in bending configuration are considered as an application of the reliability approach to composite materials. Mass of projectile, height of fall and distance between supports are the three variables considered. A limit state function G is defined by the impact force compared to a critical one. Using reliability approach, the reliability indexallows to estimate the probability of failurePf. It is then assessed for several values of the critical force using Monte Carlo direct method and First Order Reliability Method (FORM) approximated method. For FORM method, genetic algorithms are investigated to obtain the best reliability index. Results obtained by the approximated FORM method are finally discussed and compared to Monte Carlo simulations considered as a reference

Prévision des dommages d'impact basse vitesse et basse énergie dans les composites à matrice organique stratifiés

Afin de mieux comprendre et de mieux quantifier la formation des dommages d'impact et leurs conséquences sur la tenue de la structure composite, le recours à la simulation numérique semble être un complément indispensable pour enrichir les campagnes expérimentales. Cette thèse a pour objectif la mise au point d'un modèle d'impact pour la simulation numérique par éléments finis dynamique implicite, capable de prévoir les dommages induits.La première étape du travail a consisté à élaborer un modèle s'appuyant sur le modèle de comportement du pli Onera Progressive Failure Model (OPFM) et sur le modèle bilinéaire de zones cohésives proposé par Alfano et Crisfield, puis d'évaluer la sensibilité aux différentes composantes des lois de comportement de la réponse à un impact et des dommages prévus. Des essais d'impact et d'indentation sur des plaques stratifiées en carbone/époxy ont ensuite été réalisés, analysés et enfin confrontés aux résultats numériques, afin d'évaluer les performances à l'impact du modèle OPFM et ses limites.Ces travaux permettent d'aboutir à trois principales conclusions. Premièrement, l'usage de modèles de zones cohésives semble nécessaire pour prévoir la chute de force caractéristique de l'impact sur stratifiés. Deuxièmement, la prise en compte des contraintes hors plan, notamment les cisaillements, est indispensable pour prévoir correctement l'endommagement d'impact. Enfin, si le modèle OPFM est capable de prévoir qualitativement les dommages d'impact, l'absence de caractère adoucissant ou de viscoplasticité semble cependant limiter leur prévision quantitative.In order to improve the understanding and the quantification of the impact damage formation and of their consequences on the composite structure behavior, numerical simulation seems to be a necessary complement to experiments. This thesis aims at designing an impact model suited for a dynamic implicit finite element numerical simulation, able to predict the induced damages.The first step of the work consisted in building an impact model using the ply behavior law Onera Progressive Failure Model (OPFM) and the bilinear cohesive law defined by Alfano and Crisfield, then in evaluating the impact response and the predicted damage sensitivity to the different parameters of the behavior laws. Impact and indentation tests on carbon/epoxy laminate plates have then been performed, analyzed and compared with the numerical results, in order to evaluate the impact performance of OPFM and its limits.This work points out three key results. First, the use of cohesive zone models seems necessary to predict the typical load drop. Secondly, the out-of-plane constraints, especially the shearing, must be taken into account to correctly predict impact damages. Finally, even if the OPFM model is able to qualitatively predict impact damages, the lack of softening or viscoplasticity seems to limit their quantitative prediction.PARIS-Arts et Métiers (751132303) / SudocSudocFranceF

Flexural Experimental Analysis Coupled To An Acoustic Emission Study Of A Curved Sandwich Structures Made By Filament Winding Process

Composite sandwich structures studied in this paper were developed for a cylindrical tanks of vacuum vehicles using glass-fiber/vinylester composite facing and different types of foam cores like PET, PU and 3D woven Fabrics. The main objective of a designer is to choose the appropriate materials constituting the structure and determine the respective thicknesses of skins and foam in order to resist to bending moment, shear and axial stresses induced by forces applied to the material components. Generally, their study is based on the sandwich theory and the selection of materials having the appropriate properties, depending on its application. The work presented in this paper aims to characterize some of these lightweight structures in three and four points bending, followed simultaneously by acoustic emission control study to provide additional expertise elements. Finally, a failure analysis of sandwich structures is made to identify the different cracking modes of the different candidate materials

Reliability approach for safe designing on a locking system

The aim of this work is to predict the failure probability of a locking system. This failure probability is assessed using complementary methods: the First-Order Reliability Method (FORM) and Second-Order Reliability Method (SORM) as approximated methods, and Monte Carlo simulations as the reference method. Both types are implemented in a specific software [Phimeca software. Software for reliability analysis developed by Phimeca Engineering S.A.] used in this study. For the Monte Carlo simulations, a response surface, based on experimental design and finite element calculations [Abaqus/Standard User’s Manuel vol. I.], is elaborated so that the relation between the random input variables and structural responses could be established. Investigations of previous reliable methods on two configurations of the locking system show the large sturdiness of the first one and enable design improvements for the second one

Scale effects on the response of composite structures under impact loading

For several years, composite materials have taken a significant part in the realization of structures designed for transport (aeronautical, nautical, automotive. . .). In order to qualify the behavior of such structures, preliminary validation tests have to be done. These specific tests are often very expensive and difficult to set up, especially when the structure dimensions are large (fuselages of aircraft, ship hulls. . .). An alternative way is then to employ small-scale models. The use of these reduced scale structures requires the identification of similitude models allowing the extrapolation of the small-scale model behavior to the real structure. Although largely developed in the case of homogeneous materials, such similitude techniques are not clearly identified for composite materials taking into account the damage evolution during an impact. The purpose of this article is firstly to present existing similitude techniques making it possible to predict the composite structure behaviour from the knowledge of small-scale model response. Secondly, experiments were done on two scale of samples carried out by stratification of unidirectional carbon/epoxy plies. These results were finally compared with the analytical predictions of similitude laws currently used. The aim of this paper is to contribute to similitude laws development applied to composite structures. These laws permit to extrapolate the small-scale model behavior to the real scale one. Existing approaches have been established following two different methods. They are summarized in this paper and applied to impact loadings on two laminated plate scales. In order to complete data collected by ‘‘conventional’’ instrumentation (force transducer, displacement sensor, accelerometer.. .), optical device such as an high-velocity CCD camera, associated with optical techniques for the monitoring of markers, were used. These techniques make possible to compare displacement lines corresponding to each scale. It is shown that existing similitude laws, used for elastic materials, do not allow to simulate the behavior of the real scale when this one is damaged

Influence Of Parameters On Mechanical Properties Of Thermoplastic Polymers Obtained By Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)

Fused filament Fabrication (FFF) is one of the typical Rapid Prototyping (RP) process that can fabricate prototypes from various model materials. To predict the mechanical behaviour of FFF parts, it is necessary to understand their material properties, and the effect that the FFF build parameters have on this later. In this study, two thermoplastic polymers (ABS and PLA), obtained by two open source 3D printers are studied. The key printing parameters that we looked into were: layer height, pattern geometry and % of infill density, by keeping constant the fabrication orientation, perimeter overlap, velocity of deposit and model temperature. In the main body of this study, we provided a detailed description of the influence of these parameters on rigidity (Young Modulus) and yield stress (0.2 % of strain). For this purpose, Taguchi’s statistical experimental design technique was applied and compared to full design’s one. The results obtained from Taguchi’s method show that layer height and pattern geometry has no effect on the Young Modulus, as well as pattern geometry on Re0.2 response in the studied range of infill density, whereas true infill density potentially affects the considered responses. In addition, the layer height may also affect slightly the yield stress response. Moreover, a good concordance of Young Modulus evolution versus infill density has been observed for both ABS and PLA materials, as well as two experimental design methods