Mechanical Performance Evaluation of Woven and Unidirectional GFRP Composite Through Numerical Simulation

Abstract

In this research work, detail investigation on mechanical response of woven as well as unidirectional Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite has been performed using finite element analysis (FEA). Representative volume element (RVE) model of GFRP composite has been undergone different simulated mechanical tests such as tensile test by applying 160N load, three-point bending test by employing 160N against two fixed supports, cyclic loading from 0 to 160N, in-situ test at 120oC temperature, and free vibrational analysis to evaluate natural frequencies. Inter-laminar shear strength (ILSS) of woven GFRP composite has been observed by conducting Short beam shear (SBS) test. To investigate adhesive strength of unidirectional and woven GFRP composite, Peel-off test has been performed. Total deformation, equivalent stress and equivalent elastic strain are evaluated though numerical simulation using finite element method. It is observed that the total deformation obtained is more uniform in unidirectional structure composite compared to woven structure composite due to interlocking behavior of fibers in woven composite structure. It is also found that the equivalent stress value is higher in tension than three-point bending for both types of composites. The equivalent stress value is higher in case of woven GFRP composite as compared with unidirectional GFRP composite in three-point bending test. According to simulated in-situ test, maximum stress value decreases as temperature increases in unidirectional GFRP composite whereas, in woven GFRP composite variation in maximum stress value is negligible. Delamination failure of material after conducting SBS test is observed at time 45 sec for displacement 0.15mm. Material failure has been occurred at maximum load 160.512 N and the same value is assumed to calculate ILSS. By performing Peel-off test, it has been concluded that unidirectional GFRP composite structure has very low adhesive strength as compared to woven GFRP composite structure.