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Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 3)
A novel technique is proposed that integrates a robust process model with a high-speed multiscale analysis tool (NASMAT) for which verification and validation take place under a building block approach using the commercial FEA software suite Abaqus. A novel approach is proposed to First, a visco-elasto-plastic constitutive model will be developed to determine stress evolution as a function of strain rate and temperature. This model will be integrated into a process modeling framework containing an existing curing and fracture model provided by the University of Massachusetts (UML) Integrated Computational Composites (iComp2) research group. The user-written subroutines that make up the process modeling framework can be accommodated by NASMAT due to its “plug-and-play” functionality. Next, multiscale process modeling and PFA will be conducted on a 3D woven textile. An idealized RUC of a 3D woven textile will be created with the commercial Finite Element Analysis (FEA) suite Abaqus and NASMAT. The effect of the processing on inter/intra-tow cracking, stiffness, and strength properties will be studied and compared. A macroscale model of a C-channel will be developed with the tow architecture guided by X-Ray CT scans. Process modeling and progressive failure will be conducted via concurrent modeling with FEA geometry and a synergistic model in NASMAT. Additionally, NASMAT’s API will allow the software to communicate with a third-party macroscale code such as FEA, Higher-Order Theory for Functionally Graded Materials (HOTFGM) or Carrera’s Unified Formulation (CUF). A resin system of interest to NASA will be characterized and implemented in the process modeling framework and validated with existing data provided by NASA. Finally, efforts will be made to mitigate cracking and reduce cure time in 3D woven PMCs through tow architectural topology and cure cycle gradient-based optimizations using open-source Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization (OpenMDAO).
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