Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spatial Evolution of the Thickness Variations over a CFRP Laminated Structure

  • Published:
Applied Composite Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ply thickness is one of the main drivers of the structural performance of a composite part. For stress analysis calculations (e.g., finite element analysis), composite plies are commonly considered to have a constant thickness compared to the reality (coefficients of variation up to 9% of the mean ply thickness). Unless this variability is taken into account reliable property predictions cannot be made. A modelling approach of such variations is proposed using parameters obtained from a 16-ply quasi-isotropic CFRP plate cured in an autoclave. A discrete Fourier transform algorithm is used to analyse the frequency response of the observed ply and plate thickness profiles. The model inputs, obtained by a mathematical representation of the ply thickness profiles, permit the generation of a representative stratification considering the spatial continuity of the thickness variations that are in good agreement with the real ply profiles spread over the composite part. A residual deformation FE model of the composite plate is used to illustrate the feasibility of the approach.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Davila, Y.: Étude multi-échelle du couplage matériaux-procédés pour l’identification et la modélisation des variabilités au sein d’une structure composite. PhD Thesis (in English). Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier (2015)

  2. Barkanov, E., Gluhih, S., Ozolins, O., Eglitis, E., Almeida, F., Bowering, M.C., Watson, G.: Optimal weight design of laminated composite panels with different stiffeners under buckling loads. In: 27th International Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences. pp. 1–9 (2010)

  3. Li, Y., Li, M., Gu, Y., Zhang, Z.: Numerical and experimental study on the effect of lay-up type and structural elements on thickness uniformity of L-shaped laminates. Appl. Compos. Mater. 16, 101–115 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Sun, J., Gu, Y., Li, Y., Li, M., Zhang, Z.: Role of tool-part interaction in consolidation of L-shaped laminates during autoclave process. Appl. Compos. Mater. 19, 583–597 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Lightfoot, J.S., Wisnom, M.R., Potter, K.: A new mechanism for the formation of ply wrinkles due to shear between plies. Compos. Part A Appl. Sci. Manuf. 49, 139–147 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Collombet, F., Mulle, M., Grunevald, Y.-H., Zitoune, R.: Contribution of embedded optical fiber with Bragg grating in composite structures for tests-simulations dialogue. Mech. Adv. Mater. Struct. 13, 429–439 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Olivier, P., Cavarero, M.: Comparison between longitudinal tensile characteristics of thin and thick thermoset composite laminates: influence of curing conditions. Comput. Struct. 76, 125–137 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Li, Y., Li, M., Gu, Y., Zhang, Z.: Numerical and experimental study of the bleeder flow in autoclave process. Appl. Compos. Mater. 18, 327–336 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Hsiao, H.M., Daniel, I.M.: Effect of fiber waviness on stiffness and strength reduction of unidirectional composites under compressive loading. Compos. Sci. Technol. 56, 581–593 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Chun, H., Shin, J., Daniel, I.M.: Effects of material and geometric nonlinearities on the tensile and compressive behavior of composite materials with fiber waviness. Compos. Sci. Technol. 61, 125–134 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Lee, M.C.W., Payne, R.M., Kelly, D.W., Thomson, R.S.: Determination of robustness for a stiffened composite structure using stochastic analysis. Compos. Struct. 86, 78–84 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Lee, M.C.W., Mikulik, Z., Kelly, D.W., Thomson, R.S., Degenhardt, R.: Robust design – a concept for imperfection insensitive composite structures. Compos. Struct. 92, 1469–1477 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Olave, M., Vanaerschot, A., Lomov, S.V., Vandepitte, D.: Internal geometry variability of two woven composites and related variability of the stiffness. Polym. Compos. 1335–1350 (2012)

  14. Huang, Y., Jin, K.K., Ha, S.K.: Effects of fiber arrangement on mechanical behavior of unidirectional composites. J. Compos. Mater. 42, 1851–1871 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Mulle, M., Collombet, F., Olivier, P., Zitoune, R., Huchette, C., Laurin, F., Grunevald, Y.: Assessment of cure-residual strains through the thickness of carbon–epoxy laminates using FBGs part II: technological specimen. Compos. Part A Appl. Sci. Manuf. 40, 1534–1544 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge CONACyT of Mexico for providing Yves Davila the financing for his PhD program. The authors would also give special thanks to Dr. Peter Davies from IFREMER Brest (France) for his invaluable comments and remarks.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université de Toulouse, INSA, UPS, Mines d’Albi, ISAE, ICA (Institut Clément Ader), 3 rue Caroline Aigle, F-31400, Toulouse, France

    Yves Davila, Laurent Crouzeix, Bernard Douchin & Francis Collombet

  2. Composites Expertise & Solutions, 4 rue Georges Vallerey, F-31320, Castanet Tolosan, France

    Yves-Henri Grunevald

Authors
  1. Yves Davila
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Laurent Crouzeix
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bernard Douchin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Francis Collombet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yves-Henri Grunevald
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yves Davila.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Davila, Y., Crouzeix, L., Douchin, B. et al. Spatial Evolution of the Thickness Variations over a CFRP Laminated Structure. Appl Compos Mater 24, 1201–1215 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-016-9573-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-016-9573-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation