Micromechanics study on FRP composite cylinder under finite element simulation COMSOL Multiphysics®

Abstract

Buckling is a major structural instability of composite material that can lead to failure of large component without initial failure. The Finite Element Simulation is performed on CFRP, GFRP and KFRP composite material using COMSOL Multiphysics® and the buckling factor is compared with these composite materials. It is performed with a linear analysis of a composite cylinder under compressive loading and fixed end conditions. The composite materials are made up of eight layer (plies) of a composite. An Equivalent Single Layer (ESL) based approach is used for this analysis. The stacking sequence of composite materials are Layered 1[0/0/45/−45], Layered 2 [90/90/45/−45], Layered 3[90/0/90/0] and Layered 4 [45/45/45/45]. The critical buckling load factor is compared among the three materials with 4 layered sequence. Based on the Finite Element Simulation Result. The Kevlar Fiber Reinforced Polymer has considerable buckling load stability factor compared with other material. It is proposed that the KFRP material is best suitable for larger applications.