Development of a numerical FEM model for Non-Crimp Fabric composite materials”, presentato alla conferenza internazionale

This paper presents a novel finite element based approach able to take into account the complex architecture of the Non-Crimp fabric (NCF) composite materials. By means of the Stiffness Averaging Method, implemented in the research oriented B2000 FEM code, the developed model is able to take into account the effect of the processing variables characterising the Representative Volume Element (RVE) of the NCFs on their mechanical performances. Applications to simple coupons loaded in tension are presented in order to demonstrate the capability and the effectiveness of the presented approach. First, a parametric study has been carried out to investigate the influence of the bundle waviness on the longitudinal stiffness. Then, the numerical results have been compared with experimental results available from literature obtaining a very good agreement. Finally, the presence of the stitching and the influence of the processing variables on the degradation of the in-plane mechanical properties, have been investigated.