Consistent SIMulation of fibre reinforced
thermoplastics: Forming process and FE-Analysis of the mechanical behaviour
E. Schmachtenberg, M. Mannigel
Pontstraße 49, 52062
Abstract
In the development of continuous fibre-reinforced plastics, the consistent computer-assisted simulation of all the processes involved in the design, production and application is an extremely valuable tool. Especially in the design of fibre-reinforced thermoplastics (TP-FRP) a number of special characteristics have to be taken into account. A new forming simulation program, UFOS-GT, has thus recently been developed at the IKV. UFOS-GT incorporates a new interface between the forming simulation program and a structure simulation program and allows the local mechanical part properties that come into being after the thermoforming process to be taken into consideration at the mechanical design stage. The use of a special kind of volume elements also makes it possible to calculate the non-linear deformation behaviour of these parts under conditions similar to those encountered in practice. This new approach offers a better prediction quality while minimising work for FEA modelling.