Finite Element Modelling of Triaxial Woven Fabric for Aerospace Structures

Paper number

IAC-05-C2.P.21

Author

Dr. Manuel De Benedetti, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy

Year

2005

Abstract

The objective of this study, performed at ESA-ESTEC, is to investigate the mechanical behavior of Triaxial Woven Fabric. Triaxial woven fabric is composed of three sets of yarns that intersect and interlace at 00 –600 +600 degrees. The ability of triaxial to maintain structural integrity even with a very open construction is unique among textile structures; this is why it is largely used in advanced space structures.
The strong influence of the geometrical parameters on the mechanical behavior and the difficulties in the implementation of this material in analysis codes is a drawback. For the present study a detailed finite element model has been developed; accounting all the geometrical parameters of the yarn to allow a better understanding of the deformation of this material and to simulate the real structure. The performed analyses are able to provide either the in-plane and out-of-plane deformations of the composite material.
Different mechanical tests have been numerically simulated by means of Msc Nastran, with the appropriate boundary conditions that have been applied to each study case to accurately reproduce the experimental test set-up.
From the results, it has been found a convergence of the elastic and thermo-elastic properties with the increase of the test specimens dimensions, and a good correlation of the numerical results with the experimental data. It has been shown in detail how the model is strongly dependent on the applied boundary conditions.
Finally, an attempt has been made to reduce the degrees of freedom of a complex solid element model with the use of an equivalent orthotropic plate.

Abstract document

IAC-05-C2.P.21.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-C2.P.21.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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