Geometric modeling of 3D woven preforms in composite T-joints

Yan, Shibo; Zeng, Xuesen; Brown, Louise; Long, Andrew

Abstract

A common method to fabricate net-shaped three-dimensional (3D) woven preforms for composite T-joints is to weave flat 3D preforms via a standard weaving machine with variation in binder yarn path and then separate the preform in the form of a bifurcation. Folding introduces fiber architecture deformation at the 3D woven bifurcation area. In this paper, a geometric modeling approach is proposed to represent the realistic fiber architecture, as a preprocessor for finite element analyses to predict composite structural performance. Supported by X-ray micro-computed tomography (mCT), three important deformation mechanisms are observed including yarn stack shifting, cross-section bending, and cross-section flattening resulting from the folding process. Furthermore, a set of mathematical formulae for simulation of the deformations in the junction region are developed and satisfactory agreement is observed when compared with mCT scan results.

Citation

Yan, S., Zeng, X., Brown, L., & Long, A. (in press). Geometric modeling of 3D woven preforms in composite T-joints. Textile Research Journal, https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517517712098

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 26, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Jun 5, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jun 9, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 9, 2017
• Journal: Textile Research Journal
• Print ISSN: 0040-5175
• Electronic ISSN: 0040-5175
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517517712098
• Keywords: T-joint, 3D woven fabrics, geometric modeling, deformation
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/864458
• Publisher URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0040517517712098