Thermomechanical Modelization of a New Active Material

The controlled behavior of composite material (CBCM) is a thermomechanical active composite using Joule effect and heterogeneous thermal elongation properties as an actuator within composite structures. An ‘active layer’ made of carbon yarns is used as internal source of heat. To help the design of this composite a simple model based on thermomechanical and composite homogenization considerations is presented. A three-point bending test is used to compare the calculated results to experimental results. A good accordance between the relevant data (maximum of deflection and temperature on the plate) at stabilization being observed, the model is used to study the influence of some parameters. The position of the active layer, a design parameter of great importance, is particularly studied and an optimized solution is proposed. Then, the model is used for a sensitivity analysis of some design and working parameters. Finally, the results of a FEM model are compared to the previous.