Permeability prediction for the meso–macro coupling in the simulation of the impregnation stage of Resin Transfer Moulding

The impregnation stage of the Resin Transfer Moulding process can be simulated by solving the Darcy equations on a mould model, with a ‘macro-scale’ finite element method. For every element, a local ‘meso-scale’ permeability must be determined, taking into account the local deformation of the textile reinforcement. This paper demonstrates that the meso-scale permeability can be computed efficiently and accurately by using meso-scale simulation tools. We discuss the speed and accuracy requirements dictated by the macro-scale simulations. We show that these requirements can be achieved for two meso-scale simulators, coupled with a geometrical textile reinforcement modeller. The first solver is based on a finite difference discretisation of the Stokes equations, the second uses an approximate model, based on a 2D simulation of the flow.