Inter-ply stitching optimisation of highly drapeable multi-ply preforms

An efficient finite element model has been developed in Abaqus/Explicit to solve highly non-linear fabric forming problems, using a non-orthogonal constitutive relation and membrane elements to model bi-axial fabrics. 1D cable-spring elements have been defined to model localised inter-ply stitch-bon...

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Main Authors: Chen, S., Endruweit, Andreas, Harper, L.T., Warrior, N.A.
Format: Article
Published: Elsevier 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44623/
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author Chen, S.
Endruweit, Andreas
Harper, L.T.
Warrior, N.A.
author_facet Chen, S.
Endruweit, Andreas
Harper, L.T.
Warrior, N.A.
author_sort Chen, S.
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description An efficient finite element model has been developed in Abaqus/Explicit to solve highly non-linear fabric forming problems, using a non-orthogonal constitutive relation and membrane elements to model bi-axial fabrics. 1D cable-spring elements have been defined to model localised inter-ply stitch-bonds, introduced to facilitate automated handling of multi-ply preforms. Forming simulation results indicate that stitch placement cannot be optimised intuitively to avoid forming defects. A genetic algorithm has been developed to optimise the stitch pattern, minimising shear deformation in multi-ply stitched preforms. The quality of the shear angle distribution has been assessed using a maximum value criterion (MAXVC) and a Weibull distribution quantile criterion (WBLQC). Both criteria are suitable for local stitch optimisation, producing acceptable solutions towards the global optimum. The convergence rate is higher for MAXVC, while WBLQC is more effective for finding a solution closer to the global optimum. The derived solutions show that optimised patterns of through-thickness stitches can improve the formability of multi-ply preforms compared with an unstitched reference case, as strain re-distribution homogenises the shear angles in each ply.
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spelling nottingham-446232020-05-04T17:05:38Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44623/ Inter-ply stitching optimisation of highly drapeable multi-ply preforms Chen, S. Endruweit, Andreas Harper, L.T. Warrior, N.A. An efficient finite element model has been developed in Abaqus/Explicit to solve highly non-linear fabric forming problems, using a non-orthogonal constitutive relation and membrane elements to model bi-axial fabrics. 1D cable-spring elements have been defined to model localised inter-ply stitch-bonds, introduced to facilitate automated handling of multi-ply preforms. Forming simulation results indicate that stitch placement cannot be optimised intuitively to avoid forming defects. A genetic algorithm has been developed to optimise the stitch pattern, minimising shear deformation in multi-ply stitched preforms. The quality of the shear angle distribution has been assessed using a maximum value criterion (MAXVC) and a Weibull distribution quantile criterion (WBLQC). Both criteria are suitable for local stitch optimisation, producing acceptable solutions towards the global optimum. The convergence rate is higher for MAXVC, while WBLQC is more effective for finding a solution closer to the global optimum. The derived solutions show that optimised patterns of through-thickness stitches can improve the formability of multi-ply preforms compared with an unstitched reference case, as strain re-distribution homogenises the shear angles in each ply. Elsevier 2015-04-30 Article PeerReviewed Chen, S., Endruweit, Andreas, Harper, L.T. and Warrior, N.A. (2015) Inter-ply stitching optimisation of highly drapeable multi-ply preforms. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 71 . pp. 144-156. ISSN 1359-835X Fabrics/textiles Forming Preform Stitching http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359835X15000275 doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.01.016 doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.01.016
spellingShingle Fabrics/textiles
Forming
Preform
Stitching
Chen, S.
Endruweit, Andreas
Harper, L.T.
Warrior, N.A.
Inter-ply stitching optimisation of highly drapeable multi-ply preforms
title Inter-ply stitching optimisation of highly drapeable multi-ply preforms
title_full Inter-ply stitching optimisation of highly drapeable multi-ply preforms
title_fullStr Inter-ply stitching optimisation of highly drapeable multi-ply preforms
title_full_unstemmed Inter-ply stitching optimisation of highly drapeable multi-ply preforms
title_short Inter-ply stitching optimisation of highly drapeable multi-ply preforms
title_sort inter-ply stitching optimisation of highly drapeable multi-ply preforms
topic Fabrics/textiles
Forming
Preform
Stitching
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44623/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44623/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44623/