Multiscale modelling of the textile composite materials

This paper presents an initial computational multiscale modelling of the fibre-reinforced composite materials. This study will constitute an initial building block of the computational framework, developed for the DURCOMP (providing confidence in durable composites) EPSRC project, the ultimate goal of which is the use of advance composites in the construction industry, while concentrating on its major limiting factor ”durability”. The use of multiscale modelling gives directly the macroscopic constitutive behaviour of the structures based on its microscopically heterogeneous representative volume element (RVE). The RVE is analysed using the University of Glasgow in-house parallel computational tool, MoFEM (Mesh Oriented Finite Element Method), which is a C++ based finite-element code. A single layered plain weave is used to model the textile geometry. The geometry of the RVE mainly consists of two parts, the fibre bundles and matrix, and is modelled with CUBIT, which is a software package for the creation of parameterised geometries and meshes. Elliptical cross sections and cubic splines are used respectively to model the cross sections and paths of the fibre bundles, which are the main components of the yarn geometry. In this analysis, transversely isotropic material is introduced for the fibre bundles, and elastic material is used for the matrix part. The directions of the fibre bundles are calculated using a potential flow analysis across the fibre bundles, which are then used to define the principal direction for the transversely isotropic material. The macroscopic strain field is applied using linear displacement boundary conditions. Furthermore, appropriate interface conditions are used between the fibre bundles and the matrix

Finite element modelling of braided fibres subject to large deformations

This paper presents a numerical methodology to model elastic braided fibres. Elastic transversely isotropic material was used due to the anisotropy of the strands. Large deformation finite analysis based on large rotations / small strains total Lagrangian formulation was used to account for geometrical nonlinearities. Pre-processing was necessary to insert interface elements where strands are in self contact and with other materials, followed by a potential flow analysis that was undertaken to evaluate the fibre directions for every individual strand. An FE model of a knot demonstrates the important of defining interface elements, while a three plait braided model shows the importance of using a transversely isotropic model compared to an isotropic model. A twelve strand sinnet rope (T12) was also modelled using the proposed methodology and highlights new challenges when using dierent types of braiding

Computational Modelling of Braided Fibre for Concrete Reinforcement

This paper presents numerical modelling of braided fibre, to be used as concrete reinforcement. Ultimately, a corrosive and fire resistant concrete will be produced. A Cubit script (geometry and mesh software) was created to mesh braided yarns under dierent geometric parameters. Fibres were represented using elastic transversely isotropic materials, for which the fibre directions for every yarn were precisely determined from the gradients of the resultant stream functions of potential flow problems. Applying an elastic interfaces between yarns to preventing penetration and having free sliding, convergence studies were conducted on a coarse and fine mesh, using hierarchical higher order approximation [1] for uniform p- and hp-refinement

Multiscale modelling of the textile composite materials

This paper presents an initial computational multiscale modelling of the fibre-reinforced composite materials. This study will constitute an initial building block of the computational framework, developed for the DURCOMP (providing confidence in durable composites) EPSRC project, the ultimate goal of which is the use of advance composites in the construction industry, while concentrating on its major limiting factor ”durability”. The use of multiscale modelling gives directly the macroscopic constitutive behaviour of the structures based on its microscopically heterogeneous representative volume element (RVE). The RVE is analysed using the University of Glasgow in-house parallel computational tool, MoFEM (Mesh Oriented Finite Element Method), which is a C++ based finite-element code. A single layered plain weave is used to model the textile geometry. The geometry of the RVE mainly consists of two parts, the fibre bundles and matrix, and is modelled with CUBIT, which is a software package for the creation of parameterised geometries and meshes. Elliptical cross sections and cubic splines are used respectively to model the cross sections and paths of the fibre bundles, which are the main components of the yarn geometry. In this analysis, transversely isotropic material is introduced for the fibre bundles, and elastic material is used for the matrix part. The directions of the fibre bundles are calculated using a potential flow analysis across the fibre bundles, which are then used to define the principal direction for the transversely isotropic material. The macroscopic strain field is applied using linear displacement boundary conditions. Furthermore, appropriate interface conditions are used between the fibre bundles and the matrix