Processing of Composites: Simulations of the Draping of Fabrics with Updated Material Behaviour Law

In the processing of composites, fibre reinforcement is draped over complex three dimensional geometries, yielding local variations in the fibre volume fraction and fibre orientation with subsequent effects on the permeability of the reinforcement during resin infiltration and on the properties of the composite product. This study presents computer simulations of the draping of fabrics by following a mechanical, finite element approach. The fabric is considered as a solid continuum with mechanical properties and friction properties at interfaces. The problem is solved by applying an explicit dynamic finite element analysis. In order to incorporate the large shear deformation of fabric during draping, an updated material behaviour law was formulated on the basis of changing fibre directions. The model was implemented in a user computer subroutine and tested first in case-studies of simple in-plane shear where the predictions were also compared with experimental data from a picture frame type of shear test. Thereafter, numerical simulations focused on the draping of a fabric in a “hat” shaped mould, comprising a hemispherical cup with a wide flat rim. The predictions were compared with predictions from similar simulations without the updated material behaviour law, experimental data and predictions from a “fishnet” algorithm.