Abstract
Meso-scale unit cell models are often used to simulate mechanical behaviour of textile composites. Apart from reliable ways to create meso-scale geometries, such simulations require reliable meshing algorithms. While the former is made possible via dedicated textile pre-processors or high-fidelity weaving simulations, the meshing remains quite problematic for complex textiles and geometries. Even though, with a lot of user input, it is possible to create very complex meshes using meshing pre-processors, this approach remains infeasible for cases when a large number of models need to be analysed.This paper presents a meshing approach based on the combination of local octree-refinement with surface smoothing. This allows nearly conformal meshes to be generated for geometries of any complexity which achieve accuracy comparable to that of conformal meshes. A range of unit cells was analysed using the new approach and it was shown that the error in local stresses is within 10% of the reference solution and the average error is below 7%. It was found that the computational cost of the analysis using the new meshing technique is not considerably higher than for an analysis which uses a conventional conformal mesh yet the new approach allows analysis of any geometry.
Highlights
Most of the numerical methods for modelling of composites with textile reinforcements rely on meso‐scale modelling techniques
This paper presents a meshing approach based on the combination of local octree‐refinement with surface smoothing
A range of unit cells was analysed using the new approach and it was shown that the error in local stresses is within 10% of the reference solution and the average error is below 7%
Summary
Most of the numerical methods for modelling of composites with textile reinforcements rely on meso‐scale modelling techniques. A similar approach was used by Ha et al [14] who generated the geometric model with allowed intersections which were eliminated using a special algorithm to create a contact area between yarns This contact area ensures that the yarn meshes are conformal in this area and that meshes do not contain ill‐shaped elements. Other studies on voxel meshes (especially those obtained from medical imaging) employed Laplacian smoothing and other algorithms to create surfaces which would be relatively smooth and have a surface close to the original surface This paper combines both of these ideas – local octree refinement to approximate the boundaries of yarns as closely as possible, followed by surface smoothing to reduce the effect of stress concentration.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
