Abstract:

After discussed two continuum mechanic models – Mat58 and Mat261 in Ls-Dyna for mechanical characterization of plain woven composites, the characteristics of these two material models were compared and analyzed by incorporating both experiment and finite element (FE) simulation of off-angle tension and punch test. The results show that better performance can be expected from Mat261 than that from Mat58 in simulation of off-angle tension since direct input of shear stress versus strain curve is allowed in Mat261. Due to the possession of complex failure criterions for Mat261 compared with Mat58, higher of accuracy can be reached for simulation with Mat261 of punch which presents complex stress failure states. Simulation of axial crushing of corrugated plate with Mat261 is conducted and satisfactory results, with a difference of 4.2% for specific energy absorption between the simulation and the experiment. Therefore, this verifies the advantage and feasibility of model Mat261.

Key words: automobile lightweight , carbon fiber composite ,  continuum damage model , finite element (FE) ,  mechanical characterization ,  constitutive behavior