SBIR-STTR Award

The opportunity identified here is to expand the capabilities of Multicontinuum Technology (MCT) for prediction of failure initiation in complex (hybrid) composites. A successful Phase 1 project will demonstrate good correlation of MCT variables with initial failure in composites with complex multiscale reinforcement architectures. A Phase 2 project would refine the predictive capabilities, embody the capabilities in user friendly software, and construct an application analysis environment within a probabilistic framework. The specific opportunity is to develop and demonstrate theory and associate computational tools that will be highly effective for structural analysis and initial failure prediction for complex hybrid composite material systems. The MCT approach is a computationally inexpensive finite element based multiscale approach that decomposes the complex heterogeneous material response into fundamental variables that directly relate to actual physical damage/failure at the microstructural level. MCT failure predictions will be compared with experimental data found in the literature for a triaxial braid reinforced material.

Keywords:
Hybrid Composites, Initial Failure, Multicontinuum Technology, Multiscale Analysis, Woven Fiber Reinforcement

The objective of this project is to develop extensions to Multicontinuum Technology (MCT) that enable accurate and efficient analysis of textile composite structures. In addition, probabilistic analyses will be performed to demonstrate the applicability of MCT for textile composite material selection and structure design. The project will build on the successful two-constituent MCT by generalizing the algorithms that access constituent information so they can be applied routinely to 3 or more constituents. The accessed information will serve as the basis for developing local (mesoscale) material failure predictions as was successfully demonstrated as viable in the Phase I project. These failure prediction capabilities at the local mesoscale will enable enhanced fidelity of material degradation modeling for the development of accurate progressive failure analysis capabilities. The modeling capabilities will be validated by comparison with existing and newly generated experimental data for the weave material and its structural application in a pi-joint. The capabilities developed will be automated for use within the modeling environment of the commercial finite element code ABAQUS® and embodied in the commercial code Helius:MCT®. The methods will be generally applicable for finite element structural analysis of composites composed of textile or hybrid materials.

Benefit:
 A software application capable of simulating the behavior of textile composite structures has wide-spread potential applications. Military applications include aircraft structures like the F-35 / JSF, composite armor for patrol and combat vehicles and next generation helicopter rotors. Commercial application include Wind turbine blades with built-in passive pitch control, advanced sporting goods technology such as golf clubs and tennis racquets, and high end automotive application such as Formula 1 cars. The benefits of the technology proposed include reduced need for costly testing programs, more highly optimized composite designs, as higher degree of confidence when redesigns are necessary, and shorter development cycles for composite structures by enabling more “certification by simulation.”

Keywords:
Textile Composites, Hybrid Composites, Finite Element, Multicontinuum Technology, Progressive Failur