Preforming simulation of the reinforcements of woven composites: continuous approach within a commercial code

Contrary to the classical continuous media of metallic structures, fibrous composites have a very specific mechanical behaviour due to their composition. The prediction of the properties in simulating the forming processes of woven reinforcements necessitates special analysis methods. The objective of this research work is to present the continuous approach which can be exploited within a commercial code (e.g. ABAQUS, used here). For that we treat, primarily, the elementary tests with continuous approach in large deformations with three different methods i.e. single element with unidirectional fibers, single element with bidirectional fibers and two superimposed elements with unidirectional fibers. The tests are performed using locally developed user material subroutine (VUMAT) for membrane elements in ABAQUS/Explicit. The numerical results of the elementary tests conform with each other and to the exact analytical solutions. Also, these tests are extended to the bias extension test, picture frame test, hemispherical dome forming and the international benchmark draping of double dome. The numerical outputs reasonably corroborate with experimental tests.