Micro-Stress and Failure Analysis of Textile Composites

Abstract : Project objectives are the development of more optimal mechanics approaches for textile composite design and failure analysis. Tailoring of the textile composite microstructure is one of the most pressing research issues in textile composite design. The textile pre-forming process determines the microstructure of the textile preform. Preform microstructure determines textile composite micro-stress distribution. Development of a numerical approach that facilitates establishment of relations between textile microstructures and textile processes is, therefore, critical. In this project, two new numerical methods are developed. The first is a digital element simulation approach for textile mechanics. It enables simulation of the textile process as well as simulation of textile preform deformation. As a result, detailed knowledge of the textile preform microstructure becomes obtainable. The second method developed in this project is a heterogeneous element method for the micro-stress analysis of textile composites. Formulation of a heterogeneous element guarantees that both the equilibrium conditions and the continuity of displacement at the interface are satisfied. Yet, it allows for interface stress and strain jump. Because the formulation reflects the actual physical situation at the interface, it provides a much more accurate result than conventional approaches if the same mesh is used.