A level set-based procedure for the cohesive modeling of yarn–yarn contacts in woven composite RVEs

Incorporation of compaction effects in the automated generation of 3D woven composites representative volume elements by geometrical modelling

“…The optimal conformal mesh obtained with the methodology of Li et al is shown in Figure 21, where the matrix and the yarns are meshed with 4-noded tetrahedral elements, while the yarn-yarn and yarn-matrix interfaces are meshed using 6-node three-dimensional cohesive elements. The material models and properties are defined in Table 7 based on the work of Li et al, 23 which are consistent with typical values found in the literature. 41 A standard traction-separation law is used to model interfacial damage, 42 assuming a linear softening law with a specified critical fracture energy.…”

“…This section shows that the generated compacted geometries can seamlessly be used in finite element simulations thanks to meshing tools dedicated to heterogeneous systems and based on distance fields. 23,38 In general, the compacted RVEs can serve as a basis for investigating homogenized mechanical properties, damage, process modelling and other mechanical properties for which compaction effects are of interest. 35 Here, damage related to yarn-matrix debonding and matrix plasticity are taken as an example of application for the plain weave case.…”

“…This method requires the introduction of a small gap between contacting yarns, leading to a refinement of the mesh in these regions and thus increasing the computational costs. In the present framework, the extension of this method, developed by Li et al 23 is used for the discretisation of compacted geometries. In this approach 23 the conformal mesh is generated with tetrahedral elements in the material phases and cohesive elements in the yarn contact areas.…”

“…In the present framework, the extension of this method, developed by Li et al 23 is used for the discretisation of compacted geometries. In this approach 23 the conformal mesh is generated with tetrahedral elements in the material phases and cohesive elements in the yarn contact areas. This is achieved by extracting the interface elements from an implicit geometry representation of the contact area with interpenetrating yarn surfaces.…”

“…In particular, the straightening and repulsion operations are modified to control and exploit yarn interpenetrations, thus allowing for the easy generation of several levels of compaction . Third, the framework is fully automated , and has been integrated with other state-of-the-art techniques developed by the authors for local fiber fraction control 10 and cohesive modelling of yarn–yarn contacts, 23 allowing the fast generation of more realistic 3D fabrics for subsequent mechanical simulations. Finally, a case study is used to showcase the complete workflow and the application of the proposed framework in the context of damage simulations of woven composites with different levels of compaction, also a subject less frequently addressed in the current modelling literature.…”