Tensile response of AP-PLY composites: A multiscale experimental and numerical study. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kok, Rutger; Martinez-Hergueta, Francisca; Teixeira-Dias, Filipe
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 159(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Computational modeling -- Damage mechanics -- Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) -- 3-Dimensional reinforcement; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2022.106989
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: This study presents the experimental and numerical characterization of composite laminates manufactured using a novel method known as Advanced Placed Ply (AP-PLY). The behavior of cross-ply and quasi-isotropic AP-PLY laminates under uniaxial tension is compared with that of baseline laminates. Stiffness is found to be unaffected by the preforming process, while the strength is dependent on the laminate configuration. A 3D multiscale numerical modeling framework is developed to capture the effect of the through-thickness fiber undulations present in the AP-PLY composites. The ability of the framework to accurately predict the stress–strain behavior and failure mechanisms at a relatively low computational cost is demonstrated. The approach is also exploited to investigate the influence of design parameters and improve the strength of the laminates. These results show the potential of the numerical framework to optimize the fiber placement preforming process to design AP-PLY components for structural applications. Highlights: The tensile response of AP-PLY laminates is compared against conventional angle-ply laminates. A multiscale numerical framework is developed to capture the effect of through-thickness tow undulations. Good accuracy in terms of stiffness and strength is obtained with a minimum computational cost. The design space is virtually assessed and the influence of preforming parameters in the laminate's strength is analyzed.