A model for the time-dependent compaction response of woven fiber textiles

The description of the fiber bed compaction behavior is essential for the simulation of many composite manufacturing processes. In this study, we propose a material model describing the time-dependent compaction behavior of a dry fiber bed, valid for different fiber volume fractions and strain-rates. The approach is based on a linear generalized Maxwell model, in which stiffness parameters depend on strains, and relaxation times depend on strain-rates. The model parameters and functions are derived following an empirical approach, performing a curve fitting on multiple steps compaction experiments. The material considered is a carbon fiber woven fabric. The model response shows good agreement with the experimental results, proving the validity of the approach. The proposed material model uses only one set of equations to represent both the compaction and relaxation phases and can be easily implemented in numerical simulation tools.