Composite Microstructure Selection With Concurrent Sizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for designing composite structures fail to exploit the tailorable nature of composite materials, leading to suboptimal performance due to separate material selection and sizing processes that do not account for the influence of sizing on material selection and vice versa, resulting in low-standard mechanical structures.
Innovation Solution
A multiscale material selection method using processor-implemented algorithms that compute unique material properties and sizing parameters, determining optimal microstructures based on analytical and computational models to satisfy mechanical, structural, and vibrational problem requirements, incorporating Decision-Making Algorithms to explore satisficing solutions under multiple objectives and constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If discrete materials from manufacturer databases are used for material selection, then the material selection process is simplified, but the tailorable nature of composite materials cannot be exploited, leading to suboptimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the material selection process from choosing discrete pre-manufactured materials to selecting and tailoring composite materials by adjusting their microstructural parameters. The system computes unique material properties based on selected microstructures (fiber orientation, volume fraction, stacking sequence) and combines them with sizing parameters to achieve optimal performance that cannot be obtained from standard manufacturer databases.
2Device complexity
If material selection and sizing are performed separately, then the design process is more manageable, but the influence of sizing on material selection and vice versa is not accounted for, resulting in low-standard mechanical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the material selection and sizing processes into a single integrated computational framework. The system simultaneously selects microstructural parameters (fiber orientation, volume fraction) and sizing parameters (dimensions, geometry) that together satisfy multiple problem requirements. This concurrent optimization ensures that the chosen material properties and dimensions are mutually compatible and collectively optimal, rather than being determined in separate sequential steps.
3Productivity
If material selection is performed first and qualified later, then the design workflow is streamlined, but suitable material combinations may be left out, leading to low-standard mechanical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computation of unique material properties based on selected microstructures before finalizing the material selection. The system pre-calculates how different microstructural configurations will affect material properties and combines this with sizing considerations to identify suitable material combinations early in the design process. This preliminary action ensures that potentially suitable material combinations are not overlooked, as the system evaluates the full range of tailorable composite properties before making selections.
Data Source
AI summary
Conventionally material selection of composite structure is performed by using discrete materials available in manufacturer's databases. Thus, tailorable nature of composite materials is not exploited to achieve superior performance. Further, conventional methods perform material selection and sizing separately and do not take into account the influence of sizing on material selection and vice versa. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for multiscale material selection for designing of mechanical systems that incorporates tailoring of material microstructures and sizing to achieve improved solutions. The microstructure properties are obtained by using analytical and computational models for various composite materials. These models compute structure-property relations between bulk material properties and their micro-structural constituents.