Shell element-based prediction of process-induced deformation considering the different fabric parameters and stacking sequences of CFRP woven composites

Abstract

Herein, we present a finite element method (FEM) based curing analysis for predicting the process-induced deformation (PID) of CFRP woven composites using shell-type elements. This method can efficiently consider various fabric parameters and stacking sequences, even for complex structures. For woven composite plates and L-shaped flanges, FEM-based PID prediction using shell elements reduced computation times by 50–59% compared to solid elements, while maintaining acceptable accuracy with relative errors of 0.17–7.35%. Furthermore, the impacts of various fabric parameters and stacking sequences on the PID of woven composites are analyzed in detail. The main finding is that the variation in material properties due to fabric parameters and stacking sequences significantly impacts the PID of woven composite structures. This prediction method can be applied in the design of composite structures and molds, thereby enhancing the dimensional precision and performance of composite structures.

Keywords:

• Polymer-matrix composite
• Woven textile composite
• curing process
• process-induced deformation (PID)
• finite element method (FEM)

Disclosure statement

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

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the [Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education] under Grant [No. 2022R1F1A1069025 and No. 2022R1A6A1A03056784]; [Technology Innovation Program funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE, Korea)] under Grant [No. RS202300257079, Development for high stiffened clean wing structure].