Theoretical and numerical predictions of stretch-bending deformation behavior in composite sheet

Stretch-bending of fiber reinforced composite sheets is one of the thermo-mechanical forming techniques in composite materials manufacturing. Due to an anisotropic nature of composite materials, predicting their deformation behavior during combined stretch-bending is difficult. To analyze this behavior, a mathematical model for semi-cylinder forming of continuous and unidirectional fiber reinforced composite sheet is developed. Plies in the sheet are treated as continuum bodies that interact through weak viscous interfaces. The model depicts both spatial and temporal variations of stresses and strains in composite sheet. Based on this model, numerical examples on semi-cylinder forming of cross-ply and angle-ply symmetric composite sheets are given and the results show good agreement with the simulation results obtained by ABAQUS commercial software.