Compressive strength performance exploration on thick composites structures for high performance racing yachts

⏰ Thursday 26th September 2024 at 11:00 am to 12:00 noon BST (UTC +1)
 

We are delighted to announce this talk with one of our CATIA expert as part of the Next Generation Fibre-Reinforced Composites (NextCOMP) 

Dr Pierre-Yves Mechin (Dassault Systèmes, France)

Zoom Webinar: https://imperial-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/99739510155?pwd=MCuD0tRRU7JurtRPIO7ELbSlbMVq55.1

Zoom Webinar: 997 3951 0155
Passcode: NextCOMP#1

Abstract: 

A long-term collaboration between University of South Brittany (IRDL), Dassault Systémes & marine engineering eco-system in Lorient has been established for the past 12 years with positive collaboration and results. Racing yachts are designed with dominant use of composites materials with significant anisotropy in layups and large thicknesses and high stiffness (HM400 or higher). For foils, mast & hulls, composites are often in compression (static & fatigue). The compressive strength is therefore a major topic to explore and a key parameter for performance (weight vs. stiffness). The purpose of the talk is to give an overview of the compressive strength studies & results performed with multiscale analysis considering constituents, process. This was done with a double work of experiments & numerical analysis to understand the mechanism and validate observed trends. Experiments were conducted with different resins, fibres, stackings, manufacturing process to understand the mechanism, compare materials to propose new epoxy resins and fibres combinations to increase the compressive strength. The fact that racing boats are not much defined with standard materials offer a large range of configurations to explore. Numerical studies were done to qualify an analytical model which qualify the compressive strength as a structural property, not a material value. The model was first used to get explanation on trends and more recently proposed for a general validation. The combination of CATIA & Abaqus technologies as part of the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform allow to explore the effect of the manufacturing through generation of RVE models with random fibres arrangement and waviness.