Influence of Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) Manufacturing Signature on the Mechanical Performance of a Composite

Abstract

A finite element method (FEM) based framework is developed to create the models of laminates with gap and overlap imperfections, and to predict the tensile and compressive performance of these laminates. Undulated and consolidated ply geometries are obtained by a compaction simulation, preceding the actual loading test. The FE model for the tensile and compressive tests utilizes a multi-scale progressive damage and failure model, where the pre-peak response is captured based on micromechanical formulations and the non-linear matrix response. The post-peak composite response is modeled with the crack band approach. The FE analyses are compared to experimental results.