Design by analysis of a multi-layer fabric reinforcement of jet engine containment for fragments mitigation

Abstract

In current investigation, the preliminary design by analysis of a multilayer fabric reinforcement of a jet engine containment is studied. In particular, the development of a continuum equivalent finite element model for the simulation of fabric material response to high-velocity impact is presented. The main goal is to minimize the computational cost keeping the level of accuracy close to that of mesoscale modelling. The proposed methodology will aid in the design of large protection systems made of fabric materials. For the target attainment, representative volume element (RVE) models of plain-woven Kevlar 29 fabric are created and virtually tested to tensile and shear loading for the calculation of equivalent macroscopic mechanical properties. Afterwards, a continuum equivalent model at coupon level is built for the validation of proposed method. The numerical results in terms of absorption energy and damage extension were compared with those of mesoscale model and of experimental ones. In conclusion, the continuum equivalent FE model reduces the computational cost by over 400 times with less than 6% accuracy loss. Finally, using the validated modeling approach, the simulation of a conventional metallic engine containment unit and a fabric-reinforced one to fan blade-out loading is carried-out.