Virtual Material Models for Composite Laminate Structural Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Structural analysis of complex laminates using finite element methods is challenging due to the high computational cost of 3D solid elements, making fully automated analysis rare, while 2D methods lack generality and are not applicable in all regions of the laminate structure.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of virtual material models that have the same constitutive relationships as the original laminate but with significantly reduced computational costs, allowing for structural analysis with accuracy approaching 3D FEA but at the efficiency of 2D FEA, by replacing some or all original laminate plies with simpler ABD-equivalent material models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fully automated structural analysis using solid three-dimensional (3D) elements is performed, then accuracy of structural analysis approaches that of 3D FEA, but computational cost increases significantly over a large number of laminate plies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual material models that are simplified copies of the original laminate plies. These virtual models replicate the essential mechanical behavior and constitutive relationships of the real plies but with reduced geometric complexity. By using these copied virtual representations instead of detailed 3D models of each actual ply, the system achieves accurate structural analysis results while dramatically reducing computational integration costs across large numbers of plies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different levels of modeling fidelity to different regions of the laminate structure. Virtual material models are used in regions where simplified representation is sufficient, while maintaining the ability to use detailed 3D modeling where necessary. This local differentiation allows the system to optimize computational resources by applying complex modeling only where it provides necessary accuracy improvements.
2Productivity
If two dimensional (2D) finite element methods based on plate and shell theories are used, then computational efficiency is improved, but generality is reduced and preprocessing of regions is required
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual material models serve multiple functions: they can be used in 2D plate and shell theory frameworks to maintain computational efficiency, while also being adaptable to 3D solid element analyses when generality and accuracy are required. This multi-functionality allows the same virtual model representation to work across different analysis methodologies without requiring separate preprocessing for different regions, thus achieving both efficiency and universality.
3Productivity
If virtual material models replace original laminate plies, then computational cost is reduced to fraction of 3D FEA costs, but model complexity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential mechanical behavior and constitutive relationships from the original complex laminate plies and isolates them into simplified virtual material models. By separating these key characteristics from the full geometric and material complexity of the actual plies, the system creates simplified representations that capture necessary mechanical properties while eliminating unnecessary computational complexity. This extraction process enables efficient analysis without sacrificing essential accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An example embodiment may involve obtaining a model of physical characteristics of a tangible composite laminate. The tangible composite laminate may include at least two plies, and the model may include representations of each respective ply. The example embodiment may also involve identifying a virtual material model of one or more plies of the tangible composite laminate. The virtual material model may be associated with characteristics that match the representations of the one or more plies of the tangible composite laminate. The example embodiment may further involve updating the model by replacing the representations, in the model, of the one or more plies of the tangible composite laminate with the virtual material model. The example embodiment may additionally involve conducting structural analysis of the updated model.