Multi-scale modelling of woven carbon fibre reinforced epoxy

Abstract This work investigates the mechanical behaviour of woven carbon composites using a multi-scale approach. With the commercial software Digimat, the woven structure was developed based on microscopic observations (yarn pattern and density). Starting from the geometry, a periodic structure was generated and the material constants were determined using numerical analyses on tension and shear loadings. The orthotropic material model was implemented in the commercial software Abaqus, and several failure models were evaluated. Simulations on tensile and flexural loadings were performed for various laminate configurations, the results being in good agreement with the experimental data.