Process and Mechanical Modelling of Engineering Composites

Anthony Pickett

Language: English

Published: Mar 22, 2019

Description:

This book presents a set of tutorials and exercises that I have developed over a number of years as a part of a Master's level course on composites modelling. It is also intended to complement a textbook that I recently published that covers theoretical aspect of these topics. The aim of these tutorials is to introduce the student to some analysis possibilities for engineering composites using, mostly, the general-purpose finite element (FE) method with codes that are freely available on the web and suitable for student study. The first tutorials introduce FE meshing and apply some different material models for isotropic and composites analysis. More advanced composite models with failure are then presented and applied to a 2D and 3D structure. Some different solution methods are covered including linear and non-linear implicit analysis and explicit analysis, and some advanced topics include contact and linear eigenvalues analysis for frequency and buckling problems. Classical laminate analysis and micromechanics coupled to textile mechanics are also covered, with the last two tutorials studying kinematic and FE drape simulation and infusion analysis for manufacturing. Each tutorial is self-contained and has worked examples and student exercises that should take about two hours to complete. I have tried to organise these so that no previous knowledge is required to get started and then progress through to more challenging analyses. Within each tutorial I have added some relevant background information to help understanding of the topic being covered. The author Anthony Pickett undertook postgraduate research in FRP composites at the University of Surrey and RAE Farnborough, followed by nearly twenty-five years industrial work as scientific director with ESI GmbH developing and applying FE codes for process and mechanical simulation of metal and composite structures. From 2002 he was a professor in the composites group at Cranfield University and since 2007 has continued research and teaching of advanced composites at IFB (Institute of Aircraft Design) at the University of Stuttgart. The contents of this book are largely based on teaching material presented to master's level students over the past fifteen years. He is a fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute of Materials, and a chartered engineer in the UK, with many publications and several book chapters related to process, impact and crash modelling of composites.