Numerical simulations on double-dome forming of woven composites using the coupled non-orthogonal constitutive model

The double-dome geometry, proposed as a benchmark in earlier ESAFORM conferences, will be used in this paper to illustrate the effect of material models on the forming behaviors of the woven composites parts. Numerical simulations of forming of woven composites can be mainly classified into two categories, kinematic based and continuum-mechanics based approaches. The kinematic based approach has shown superior computational advantage. Advances to enhance the predictability have been made through the incorporation of energy method. The continuum- mechanics based approach has the ability to model contact and friction more accurately. One of the critical aspects is the material constitutive law. In this paper, we will incorporate a recently developed non-orthogonal model which captures the dependency of shear behavior of woven fabric composites on the tensions in yarns. Simulation results will show the effect of coupling on the predicted forming behavior for the double-dome parts.