Finite element analysis of edge gripper processing of carbon fiber composite cables

Abstract

Light-weighted and high-strength CFRP cables are increasingly being used to increase the transmission capacity and improve the sag of suspended transmission line. CFRP cables are covered with aluminum and steel layers in sequence and compressed with a dies when the conductor is connected to the lattice tower. In the process, a mechanism that transmits a tensile load from the metal part to CFRP was implemented by utilizing the plastic deformation of aluminum and steel and the elastic deformation of CFRP. In this study, damage to CFRP cables that occurs during the processing of an edge gripper was simulated by a finite element analysis (FEA). A three-dimensional (3D) matrix of Hashin’s theory was coded, and a 3D damage analysis using Abaqus, a generic FEA software suite, was conducted. The analysis was carried out with a model that uses the dimensions of each material as parameters to discuss the relationship between the damage on the CFRP cable that may occur during the edge gripper processing and the gripping force generated.

Keywords:

• CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastics)
• finite element
• elastoplastic mechanics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).