Eco-strategy of numerical simulation for fiber assembly orientation in an abrupt planar contraction flow

Abstract

The objective of the present work is to well understand the mechanism of fiber assembly orientation in various flows involving the processing of composite materials. The evolution of the orientation of fiber assembly in a 4:1 planar contraction flow has been numerically simulated using a computer-friendly-strategy of numerical solution proposed in the work to considerably reduce a computational time: first, fiber suspension flow through a 4:1 planar contraction geometry is numerically simulated on the basis of the co-linear alignment approximation of fibers: secondly, 3-D orientation of a large number of fibers is evaluated by computing the Jeffery equation along the streamlines in the above fiber suspension flow: finally, the evolution of the orientation of fiber assembly can be predicted. The predictions would be feasible for the practical purpose in a fiber composite processing.