An efficient multi-scale computation of the macroscopic coefficient of thermal expansion: application to the Resin Transfer Molding manufactured 3D woven composites

Abstract This paper presents a simple and computationally efficient multi-scale procedure to predict the macroscopic temperature dependent coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of any linearly thermoelastic material from isothermal mechanical simulations only. The approach relies on Levin’s demonstration that, in analytical homogenization, the effective coefficient of thermal expansion is related to the local coefficient of thermal expansion and the stress concentration tensor. For demonstration purposes, this procedure was applied to a 3D woven composite material. The proposed approach was successfully validated with full thermal simulations.