Large strain numerical material test of fiber-based composite material using advanced element formulation

Convergence problem of the numerical material test in composite material

Figure 1 shows modeling of composite material reinforced in one direction by fibers which are oriented perpendicular to the plane. There is a difference in rigidity of about three orders of magnitude between the matrix and fiber.

Figure 1. Fiber-based composite material reinforced in one direction

Figure 2 shows the elastic strain distribution of the tensile direction component at the time of performing the numerical material test in a direction perpendicular to the fiber in this model. We conducted a test of up to 30% macro strain, but when observing the strain distribution of the micro-scale, it could be confirmed that the tensile strain of 100% or more at vicinity of the fiber and approximately 10 percent of compressive strain had occurred in an area away from the fiber. Gradients of large strain localized in the model when performing the numerical material test on a model that had a large difference in rigidity, even a simple shape. Thus, there were cases that analyses could not be conducted frequently because of an element collapse as described above.

Figure 2.
The elastic strain distribution of tensile direction component
at macro strain (= L2/L1) of 30%

Figure 3 shows an animation of element collapse.

Figure 3.
Uniaxial tensile test response of material reinforced
in one direction using current version of Ansys elements

Comparison of numerical material test results by the new element formulation

Fiber composite material reinforced in one direction

A uniaxial tensile test was performed on the model in Figure 1 using the advanced element formulation※1 by Reese et al., Hannover University, which is newly added in CMAS4.1. Figure 4 shows an animation of the comparison of the results, and the results of low-order solid elements of the current version of Ansys. Abnormal end of analysis by element decay in macro strain of about 30% could not be avoided with the element type of the current version. However, it is possible to carry out a stable analysis, even when applying macro strain of 100% or more in the new type of element.

Figure 4.
Uniaxial tensile test response of material reinforced in one direction
(Ansys previous version element)

Click for Animation

Figure 4.
Uniaxial tensile test response of material reinforced in one direction
(Newly developed element)

Click for Animation

Fiber-based composite material of ±90-degree alignment

We conducted a similar comparative verification using a ± 90 degree orientated model as shown in Figure 5. The material properties of fibers and matrix have adopted values similar to those of Figure 1.

Figure 5. Fiber-based composite material of ±90-degree alignment

Figure 6 shows the state of deformation in the new type of element and the existing type of element respectively. Element collapse occurred in macro strain at 40% in the existing type of element, we were able to perform a very stable analysis at up to a macro strain of 400% with the new element.

Figure 6. Uniaxial tensile test response of fiber orientation model
in ±90-degree alignment(Ansys previous version element)

Click to show animation

Figure 6. Uniaxial tensile test response of fiber orientation model
in ±90-degree alignment(Newly developed element)

Click to show animation

Analysis Types

Numerical Material Test、 Hyper-elastic Analysis