Rate dependent modelling of the forming behaviour of viscous textile composites

A predictive approach to modelling the forming of viscous textile composites has been implemented in two finite element codes; Abaqus Standard™ and Abaqus Explicit™. A multi-scale energy model is used to predict the shear force–shear angle–shear rate behaviour of viscous textile composites, at specified temperatures, using parameters supplied readily by material manufacturers, such as fibre volume fraction, weave architecture and matrix rheology. The predictions of the energy model are fed into finite element simulations to provide the in-plane shear properties of two different macro-scale constitutive models implemented in the finite element codes. The manner of coupling predictions of the multi-scale energy model with the macro-scale models is shown to affect the rate-dependent material response in the simulations. These coupling methods are evaluated using picture frame test simulations.