Quantitative study on the statistical properties of fibre architecture of genuine and numerical composite microstructures

A quantitative study is carried out regarding the statistical properties of the fibre architecture found in composite laminates and that generated numerically using Statistical Representative Volume Elements (SRVE’s). The aim is to determine the reliability and consistency of SRVE’s for representation of the composite microstructure as well as investigate the effect of a varying fibre radii distribution on the fibre architecture. Based on digital image analysis, the fibre architecture of unidirectional glass fibre composites with varying fibre content is recognised. The fibre architecture found is compared to a numerical microstructure generator using Monte Carlo simulations. It is shown that the numerical microstructure generator produces fibre arrangements that are statistically similar to the observed, which indicates a reliable and consistent SRVE. The microstructural effects of a parametric variation of the parameters for fibre radii distribution are simulated, and the influence on the fibre architecture is investigated.