| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R32291/01 |
| Title: |
Design and Processing of Multi-Layer Structures for Liquid Composite Moulding (Multi-Comp) |
| Principal Investigator: |
Long, Professor A |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Mech Materials Manuf Eng Mgt |
| Organisation: |
University of Nottingham |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
20 October 2001 |
Ends: |
19 April 2005 |
Value (£): |
357,998
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Construction |
| Transport Systems and Vehicles |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Multi-layer fibre preforms (based on either woven or non-crimp textiles), to be used in liquid moudling processes such as resin transfer moulding, must be designed considering both mechanical and processing requirements. Process modelling includes simulation of both drape/forming (formability) and impregnation (permeability). This project aims to develop and validate experimentally an integrated framework linking process models and constitutive models for both preform manufacture and resin infiltration. Meso-mechanical models will be developed to predict fabric compliance from a geometric model of the textile fibre architecture. These will be incorporated within an iterative draping algorithm for multi-layer preforms, where each ply is draped to achieve the minimum strain energy. The effects of fibre architecture and deformation during draping on compaction will be assessed experimentally, with the results used to develop a mechanical compaction model. This will be linked to drape/forming analyses to predict ply thicknesses and porosities across a 3D component. Permeability models, for both in-plane and through-thickness flow, will be developed and validated for sheared and compacted textile preforms. These will be used within 3D flow simulations (using commercial codes) to complete the process modelling system for multi-layer structures. Effects of statistical variations to the reinforcement structure on flow will be investigated by developing a stochastic analysis procedure, allowing the range of likely processing outcomes to be anticipated. Predictions will be validated for a number of automotive and aerospace components.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk |