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Resin transfer moulding is one of several processes available for manufacturing fibre-reinforced composites from dry fibre reinforcement. Recently, dry reinforcements made with Automated Dry Fibre Placement have been introduced into the aerospace industry. Typically, the permeability of the reinforcement is assumed to be constant throughout the dry preform geometry whereas in reality it possesses inevitable uncertainty due to variability in geometry. This uncertainty propagates to the uncertainty of the mould filling and the fill time, one of the important variables in resin injection. It makes characterisation of the permeability and its variability an important task for design of the resin transfer moulding process. In this study, variability of the geometry of a reinforcement manufactured using Automated Dry Fibre Placement is studied. Permeability of the manufactured preforms is measured experimentally and compared to stochastic simulations based on an analytical model and a stochastic geometry model. The simulations showed that difference between the actual geometry and the designed geometry can result in 50% reduction of the permeability. The stochastic geometry model predicts results within 20% of the experimental values.

TexGen is open source software developed at the University of Nottingham for the geometric 3D modelling of textiles and textile composites. It has a large number of users worldwide and underpins a significant number of research publications. While many users make simplifying assumptions about the structure of a textile, in reality the internal geometry of a textile or textile composite is complex. Capturing this complexity is vital for the prediction of properties such as permeability and mechanical failure. Examples will be given of the characterisation of a material and how the complex features are captured and implemented in TexGen, making use of functionality such as the ability to vary the cross-sectional shape along the length of a yarn. The effect on prediction of properties as a model is refined will be demonstrated. Recent additions to the software will also be highlighted. Laminated structures can be quickly and easily constructed from a selection of textiles and several nesting options are available. A new rotate textile option can then be used to create laminates with varying ply angles. Where the unit cell is also rotated, appropriate periodic boundary conditions have been implemented and are automatically generated in an ABAQUS input file. A new feature is described which generates a TexGen model from a weave pattern file. Future developments of this may improve accessibility of the software to the weaving community. The generation of a pattern draft output from the TexGen model is also described.

A finite strain fibre-reinforced viscoelasto-viscoplastic model implemented in a finite element (FE) analysis is presented to study the expansive growth of plant cell walls. Three components of the deformation of growing cell wall, i.e. elasticity, viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity-like growth, are modelled within a consistent framework aiming to present an integrative growth model. The two aspects of growth—turgor-driven creep and new material deposition—and the interplay between them are considered by presenting a yield function, flow rule and hardening law. A fibre-reinforcement formulation is used to account for the role of cellulose microfibrils in the anisotropic growth. Mechanisms in in vivo growth are taken into account to represent the corresponding biologycontrolled behaviour of a cell wall. A viscoelastic formulation is proposed to capture the viscoelastic response in the cell wall. The proposed constitutive model provides a unique framework for modelling both the in vivo growth of cell wall dominated by viscoplasticity-like behaviour and in vitro deformation dominated by elastic or viscoelastic responses. A numerical scheme is devised, and FE case studies are reported and compared with experimental data.

Experimental and numerical analysis of a woven composite were performed in order to assess the effect of yarn path and layer shift variability on properties of the composite. Analysis of the geometry of a 12K carbon fibre 2×2 twill weave at the meso- and macro-scales showed the prevalence of the yarn path variations at the macro-scale over the meso-scale variations. Numerical analysis of yarn path variability showed that it is responsible for a Young’s modulus reduction of 0.5% and CoV of 1% which makes this type of variability in the selected reinforcement almost insignificant for an elastic analysis. Finite element analysis of damage propagation in laminates with layer shift showed good agreement with the experiments. Both numerical analysis and experiments showed that layer shift has a strong effect on the shape of the stress-strain curve. In particular, laminates with no layer shift tend to exhibit a kink in the stress-strain curve which was attributed solely to the layer configuration.

The study focuses on unit cell FE modelling to predict coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) for sheared fabric laminates. Shear, as a dominant deformation mode in textile composites forming, introduces high degrees of anisotropy in both elasticity and thermal expansion. The unit cell predictions are based on realistic fibre architecture and measured material properties of constituent fibre and resin. Under the multi-scale framework, the unit cell predictions are part of the essential input data for locally varied material definitions. These definitions are used to model structural components to predict shape distortion. The FE model gives predictions close to the experimental data, when the boundary conditions are correlated to the coupon size. Nesting is an influential factor for CTEs. For true material representation, in-plane periodicity and nesting have been considered.

Realistic geometric representation of fabrics is essential for modelling of mechanical and physical properties of textiles and textile composites. It is also advantageous to be able to generate those models quickly and easily. Recent developments in TexGen which automate the creation of models for 3D orthogonal, angle interlock and layer-to-layer fabrics and sheared 2D fabrics are described. Micro-Computed Tomography data of 3D fabrics has been used to identify geometrical characteristics which have formed the basis for implementation of refinements to the idealised fabrics generated automatically in TexGen. In 3D orthogonal textiles local geometrical variations, particularly in yarn cross-section, surface crimp and binder yarn path are apparent at different levels of compaction. The “refine” option in TexGen‟s 3D wizard automatically adjusts these features to achieve compaction to a specified thickness, using yarn volume fraction as a constraint. For sheared textiles a generic 2D plain weave fabric was used to identify key geometric features. Yarn rotation has been identified as one of these and the geometric description of the sheared fabric considers yarn rotations in terms of two elliptical cylinders crossing each other at an oblique angle. The rotational angle is derived mathematically from the tangential contact between yarns. Variations in yarn height along the length of the yarn have also been identified and both of these features are incorporated into a refine function for sheared textiles. Compatible voxelised mesh and periodic boundary conditions for the sheared domain have also been implemented. The models have been used to generate manufacturing data: permeability data for the 3D fabric and coefficient of thermal expansion for the sheared 2D fabric.

TexGen is open source software developed at the University of Nottingham for the geometric 3D modelling of textiles and textile composites. It has a large number of users worldwide and underpins a significant number of research publications. While many users make simplifying assumptions about the structure of a textile, in reality the internal geometry of a textile or textile composite is complex. Capturing this complexity is vital for the prediction of properties such as permeability and mechanical failure. Examples will be given of the characterisation of a material and how the complex features are captured and implemented in TexGen, making use of functionality such as the ability to vary the cross-sectional shape along the length of a yarn. The effect on prediction of properties as a model is refined will be demonstrated. Recent additions to the software will also be highlighted. Laminated structures can be quickly and easily constructed from a selection of textiles and several nesting options are available. A new rotate textile option can then be used to create laminates with varying ply angles. Where the unit cell is also rotated, appropriate periodic boundary conditions have been implemented and are automatically generated in an ABAQUS input file. A new feature is described which generates a TexGen model from a weave pattern file. Future developments of this may improve accessibility of the software to the weaving community. The generation of a pattern draft output from the TexGen model is also described.

Realistic geometric representation of fabrics is essential for modelling of mechanical and physical properties of textiles and textile composites. It is also advantageous to be able to generate those models quickly and easily. Recent developments in TexGen which automate the creation of models for 3D orthogonal, angle interlock and layer-to-layer fabrics and sheared 2D fabrics are described. Micro-Computed Tomography data of 3D fabrics has been used to identify geometrical characteristics which have formed the basis for implementation of refinements to the idealised fabrics generated automatically in TexGen. In 3D orthogonal textiles local geometrical variations, particularly in yarn cross-section, surface crimp and binder yarn path are apparent at different levels of compaction. The “refine” option in TexGen‟s 3D wizard automatically adjusts these features to achieve compaction to a specified thickness, using yarn volume fraction as a constraint. For sheared textiles a generic 2D plain weave fabric was used to identify key geometric features. Yarn rotation has been identified as one of these and the geometric description of the sheared fabric considers yarn rotations in terms of two elliptical cylinders crossing each other at an oblique angle. The rotational angle is derived mathematically from the tangential contact between yarns. Variations in yarn height along the length of the yarn have also been identified and both of these features are incorporated into a refine function for sheared textiles. Compatible voxelised mesh and periodic boundary conditions for the sheared domain have also been implemented. The models have been used to generate manufacturing data: permeability data for the 3D fabric and coefficient of thermal expansion for the sheared 2D fabric.

The study focuses on unit cell FE modelling to predict coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) for sheared fabric laminates. Shear, as a dominant deformation mode in textile composites forming, introduces high degrees of anisotropy in both elasticity and thermal expansion. The unit cell predictions are based on realistic fibre architecture and measured material properties of constituent fibre and resin. Under the multi-scale framework, the unit cell predictions are part of the essential input data for locally varied material definitions. These definitions are used to model structural components to predict shape distortion. The FE model gives predictions close to the experimental data, when the boundary conditions are correlated to the coupon size. Nesting is an influential factor for CTEs. For true material representation, in-plane periodicity and nesting have been considered.

TexGen is open source software developed at the University of Nottingham for the geometric 3D modelling of textiles and textile composites. It has a large number of users worldwide and underpins a significant number of research publications. While many users make simplifying assumptions about the structure of a textile, in reality the internal geometry of a textile or textile composite is complex. Capturing this complexity is vital for the prediction of properties such as permeability and mechanical failure. Examples will be given of the characterisation of a material and how the complex features are captured and implemented in TexGen, making use of functionality such as the ability to vary the cross-sectional shape along the length of a yarn. The effect on prediction of properties as a model is refined will be demonstrated. Recent additions to the software will also be highlighted. Laminated structures can be quickly and easily constructed from a selection of textiles and several nesting options are available. A new rotate textile option can then be used to create laminates with varying ply angles. Where the unit cell is also rotated, appropriate periodic boundary conditions have been implemented and are automatically generated in an ABAQUS input file. A new feature is described which generates a TexGen model from a weave pattern file. Future developments of this may improve accessibility of the software to the weaving community. The generation of a pattern draft output from the TexGen model is also described.

The study focuses on unit cell FE modelling to predict coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) for sheared fabric laminates. Shear, as a dominant deformation mode in textile composites forming, introduces high degrees of anisotropy in both elasticity and thermal expansion. The unit cell predictions are based on realistic fibre architecture and measured material properties of constituent fibre and resin. Under the multi-scale framework, the unit cell predictions are part of the essential input data for locally varied material definitions. These definitions are used to model structural components to predict shape distortion. The FE model gives predictions close to the experimental data, when the boundary conditions are correlated to the coupon size. Nesting is an influential factor for CTEs. For true material representation, in-plane periodicity and nesting have been considered.

Realistic geometric representation of fabrics is essential for modelling of mechanical and physical properties of textiles and textile composites. It is also advantageous to be able to generate those models quickly and easily. Recent developments in TexGen which automate the creation of models for 3D orthogonal, angle interlock and layer-to-layer fabrics and sheared 2D fabrics are described. Micro-Computed Tomography data of 3D fabrics has been used to identify geometrical characteristics which have formed the basis for implementation of refinements to the idealised fabrics generated automatically in TexGen. In 3D orthogonal textiles local geometrical variations, particularly in yarn cross-section, surface crimp and binder yarn path are apparent at different levels of compaction. The “refine” option in TexGen‟s 3D wizard automatically adjusts these features to achieve compaction to a specified thickness, using yarn volume fraction as a constraint. For sheared textiles a generic 2D plain weave fabric was used to identify key geometric features. Yarn rotation has been identified as one of these and the geometric description of the sheared fabric considers yarn rotations in terms of two elliptical cylinders crossing each other at an oblique angle. The rotational angle is derived mathematically from the tangential contact between yarns. Variations in yarn height along the length of the yarn have also been identified and both of these features are incorporated into a refine function for sheared textiles. Compatible voxelised mesh and periodic boundary conditions for the sheared domain have also been implemented. The models have been used to generate manufacturing data: permeability data for the 3D fabric and coefficient of thermal expansion for the sheared 2D fabric.

TexGen is open source software developed at the University of Nottingham for the geometric 3D modelling of textiles and textile composites. It has a large number of users worldwide and underpins a significant number of research publications. While many users make simplifying assumptions about the structure of a textile, in reality the internal geometry of a textile or textile composite is complex. Capturing this complexity is vital for the prediction of properties such as permeability and mechanical failure. Examples will be given of the characterisation of a material and how the complex features are captured and implemented in TexGen, making use of functionality such as the ability to vary the cross-sectional shape along the length of a yarn. The effect on prediction of properties as a model is refined will be demonstrated. Recent additions to the software will also be highlighted. Laminated structures can be quickly and easily constructed from a selection of textiles and several nesting options are available. A new rotate textile option can then be used to create laminates with varying ply angles. Where the unit cell is also rotated, appropriate periodic boundary conditions have been implemented and are automatically generated in an ABAQUS input file. A new feature is described which generates a TexGen model from a weave pattern file. Future developments of this may improve accessibility of the software to the weaving community. The generation of a pattern draft output from the TexGen model is also described.

The study focuses on unit cell FE modelling to predict coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) for sheared fabric laminates. Shear, as a dominant deformation mode in textile composites forming, introduces high degrees of anisotropy in both elasticity and thermal expansion. The unit cell predictions are based on realistic fibre architecture and measured material properties of constituent fibre and resin. Under the multi-scale framework, the unit cell predictions are part of the essential input data for locally varied material definitions. These definitions are used to model structural components to predict shape distortion. The FE model gives predictions close to the experimental data, when the boundary conditions are correlated to the coupon size. Nesting is an influential factor for CTEs. For true material representation, in-plane periodicity and nesting have been considered.

Realistic geometric representation of fabrics is essential for modelling of mechanical and physical properties of textiles and textile composites. It is also advantageous to be able to generate those models quickly and easily. Recent developments in TexGen which automate the creation of models for 3D orthogonal, angle interlock and layer-to-layer fabrics and sheared 2D fabrics are described. Micro-Computed Tomography data of 3D fabrics has been used to identify geometrical characteristics which have formed the basis for implementation of refinements to the idealised fabrics generated automatically in TexGen. In 3D orthogonal textiles local geometrical variations, particularly in yarn cross-section, surface crimp and binder yarn path are apparent at different levels of compaction. The “refine” option in TexGen‟s 3D wizard automatically adjusts these features to achieve compaction to a specified thickness, using yarn volume fraction as a constraint. For sheared textiles a generic 2D plain weave fabric was used to identify key geometric features. Yarn rotation has been identified as one of these and the geometric description of the sheared fabric considers yarn rotations in terms of two elliptical cylinders crossing each other at an oblique angle. The rotational angle is derived mathematically from the tangential contact between yarns. Variations in yarn height along the length of the yarn have also been identified and both of these features are incorporated into a refine function for sheared textiles. Compatible voxelised mesh and periodic boundary conditions for the sheared domain have also been implemented. The models have been used to generate manufacturing data: permeability data for the 3D fabric and coefficient of thermal expansion for the sheared 2D fabric.

TexGen is open source software developed at the University of Nottingham for the geometric 3D modelling of textiles and textile composites. It has a large number of users worldwide and underpins a significant number of research publications. While many users make simplifying assumptions about the structure of a textile, in reality the internal geometry of a textile or textile composite is complex. Capturing this complexity is vital for the prediction of properties such as permeability and mechanical failure. Examples will be given of the characterisation of a material and how the complex features are captured and implemented in TexGen, making use of functionality such as the ability to vary the cross-sectional shape along the length of a yarn. The effect on prediction of properties as a model is refined will be demonstrated. Recent additions to the software will also be highlighted. Laminated structures can be quickly and easily constructed from a selection of textiles and several nesting options are available. A new rotate textile option can then be used to create laminates with varying ply angles. Where the unit cell is also rotated, appropriate periodic boundary conditions have been implemented and are automatically generated in an ABAQUS input file. A new feature is described which generates a TexGen model from a weave pattern file. Future developments of this may improve accessibility of the software to the weaving community. The generation of a pattern draft output from the TexGen model is also described.

Realistic geometric representation of fabrics is essential for modelling of mechanical and physical properties of textiles and textile composites. It is also advantageous to be able to generate those models quickly and easily. Recent developments in TexGen which automate the creation of models for 3D orthogonal, angle interlock and layer-to-layer fabrics and sheared 2D fabrics are described. Micro-Computed Tomography data of 3D fabrics has been used to identify geometrical characteristics which have formed the basis for implementation of refinements to the idealised fabrics generated automatically in TexGen. In 3D orthogonal textiles local geometrical variations, particularly in yarn cross-section, surface crimp and binder yarn path are apparent at different levels of compaction. The “refine” option in TexGen‟s 3D wizard automatically adjusts these features to achieve compaction to a specified thickness, using yarn volume fraction as a constraint. For sheared textiles a generic 2D plain weave fabric was used to identify key geometric features. Yarn rotation has been identified as one of these and the geometric description of the sheared fabric considers yarn rotations in terms of two elliptical cylinders crossing each other at an oblique angle. The rotational angle is derived mathematically from the tangential contact between yarns. Variations in yarn height along the length of the yarn have also been identified and both of these features are incorporated into a refine function for sheared textiles. Compatible voxelised mesh and periodic boundary conditions for the sheared domain have also been implemented. The models have been used to generate manufacturing data: permeability data for the 3D fabric and coefficient of thermal expansion for the sheared 2D fabric.

The study focuses on unit cell FE modelling to predict coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) for sheared fabric laminates. Shear, as a dominant deformation mode in textile composites forming, introduces high degrees of anisotropy in both elasticity and thermal expansion. The unit cell predictions are based on realistic fibre architecture and measured material properties of constituent fibre and resin. Under the multi-scale framework, the unit cell predictions are part of the essential input data for locally varied material definitions. These definitions are used to model structural components to predict shape distortion. The FE model gives predictions close to the experimental data, when the boundary conditions are correlated to the coupon size. Nesting is an influential factor for CTEs. For true material representation, in-plane periodicity and nesting have been considered.