Multiscale composite FEM modeling

A two-stage (macro-micro) finite element analysis of composite structure is presented in this paper. A global-local (meso) modeling method is proposed in order to reduce the computational effort usually required to analyze such structures. The loading of the micro-cell is obtained from the macro model. To apply an appropriate mesh in the global model the strain energy in a beam under pure bending moments is calculated and then compared with the numerical results. The simulation of the three-point bending test of CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced polymer) is presented as an example of the use of the developed algorithm. Standard elements from the commercial FEM analysis software package Marc are used to perform the non-linear stress analysis.