Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A framework for three-dimensional finite element analysis of unidirectional and cross-ply composite layups through localized microstructures under hygromechanical conditions

  • Technical Paper
  • Published:
Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) are sensitive to moisture diffusion. Deterioration caused by moisture can limit their service lives considerably. In this work, a three-dimensional finite element modeling and analysis framework is presented to investigate the moisture diffusion kinetics inside fiber-reinforced inside polymer matrix composites by considering different angle and cross-ply orientations. A small localized representative volume element considering a few fibers in the neighborhood of three-layer stacks has been analyzed. The emphasis is on the effect of different fiber orientations over moisture saturation time and diffusion-induced stresses. Stresses induced due to moisture diffusion in FRPs are evaluated on the free fiber ends. The numerical results from finite element approximations are compared with theories of composite micromechanics such as rule of mixtures, Halpin–Tsai model and concentric cylinder assemblage framework. It is observed that the orientation of fiber layers can greatly influence the moisture ingress inside the matrix and resulting stresses. At intermediate time durations of moisture progression, the cross-ply orientation had ~ 25% lower weight gain in comparison with the unidirectional ply orientations. The overall von Mises stresses at the fiber matrix interface were also lower in cross-ply orientations by ~ 40% in comparison with the other orientations with similar fiber volume fraction. The three-layered cross-ply, 90/90/90 orientation took almost 50% more time to fully saturate with moisture in comparison with the unidirectional, 0/0/0 orientation. The interpretations from the smaller local microstructural models presented in this work can be extended to study and design the structure scale composite layups for the improved moisture durability.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ostrowski K, Dudek M, Sadowski L (2020) Compressive behaviour of concrete-filled carbon fiber-reinforced polymer steel composite tube columns made of high performance concrete. Compos Struct 234:111668.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Grootel AV, Chang J, Wardle B, Olivetti E (2020) Manufacturing variability drives significant environmental and economic impact: the case of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites in the aerospace industry. J Clean Prod 261:121087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121087

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Adesina OT, Jamiru T, Sadiku ER, Ogunbiyi OF, Beneke LW (2019) Mechanical evaluation of hybrid natural fibre-reinforced polymeric composites for automotive bumper beam: a review. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 103:1781–1797. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-03638-w

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Fuqua MA, Huo S, Ulven CA (2012) Natural fibre reinforced composites. Polym Rev 52(3):259–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Ho M, Wang H, Lee J, Ho C, Lau K, Leng J, Hui D (2012) Critical factors on manufacturing processes of natural fibre composites. Compos Part B Eng 43(8):3549–3562

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Saharudin MS, Atif R, Shyha I, Inam F (2016) The degradation of mechanical properties in polymer nano-composites exposed to liquid media—a review. RSC Adv 6(2):1076–1089

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Vilaplana F, Stromberg E, Karlsson S (2010) Environmental and resource aspects of sustainable biocomposites. Polym Degrad Stab 95:2147–2161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bakis C, Bank LC, Brown V, Cosenza E, Davalos J, Lesko J (2002) Fibre-reinforced polymer composites for construction—state-of-the-art review. J Compos Constr 6(2):73–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Mosallam AS, Bayraktar A, Elmikawi M, Pul S, Adanur S (2015) Polymer composites in construction: an overview. J Mater Sci Eng 2(1):25

    Google Scholar 

  10. Acha BA, Reboredo MM, Marcovich NE (2007) Creep and dynamic mechanical behavior of PP–jute composites: effect of the interfacial adhesion. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 38:1507–1516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Hong B, Xian G, Wang Z (2017) Durability study of pultruded carbon fibre reinforced polymer plates subjected to water immersion. Adv Struct Eng. https://doi.org/10.1177/1369433217732664

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Jain D, Mukherjee A, Kwatra N (2014) Local micromechanics of moisture diffusion in fibre reinforced polymer composites. Int J Heat Mass Transf 76:199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Jain D, Mukherjee A, Kwatra N (2015) Effect of fibre topology on hygro-mechanical response of polymer matrix composites. Int J Heat Mass Transf 86:787

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Korkees F, Alston S, Arnold C (2017) Directional diffusion of moisture into unidirectional carbon fibre/epoxy composites: experiments and modeling. Polym Compos. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.24626

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Jain D, Mukherjee A, Kwatra N (2016) Numerical modelling of moisture diffusion in FRP with clustered microstructures. Appl Math Model 40(3):1873–1886

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  16. Jain D, Mukherjee A (2016) Three-dimensional hygromechanical analysis of fibre polymer composites: effect of boundary conditions. Composit Part B Eng 90:203–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Radha JC, Ranganathaiah C (2008) Effect of the fibre orientation on the sorption kinetics of seawater in an epoxy/glass composite: a free-volume microprobe study. J Appl Polym Sci 109(2):1302–1309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Vaddadi P, Nakamura T, Singh RP (2003) Inverse analysis for transient moisture diffusion through fibre-reinforced composites. Acta Mater 51:177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Bonora N, Ruggiero A (2006) Micromechanical modeling of composites with mechanical interface—part 1: unit cell model development and manufacturing process effects. Compos Sci Technol 66(2):314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Vaughan TJ, McCarthy CT (2011) Micromechanical modelling of the transverse damage behaviour in fibre reinforced composites. Compos Sci Technol 71:388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Pan Y, Xian G, Li H (2017) Numerical modeling of moisture diffusion in an unidirectional fibre-reinforced polymer composite. Polym Compos. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.24664

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Arnold JC, Alston SM, Korkees F (2013) An assessment of methods to determine the directional moisture diffusion coefficients of composite materials. Compos Part A 55:120–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. ABAQUS/STANDARD 6.13 (2019) http://www.simulia.com. Accessed 10 July 2019

  24. Askeland D, Fulay P, Wright W (2010) The science and engineering of materials, 6th edn. Cengage Learning, Boston. ISBN 9780495296027

  25. Halpin JC (1984) Primer on composite materials: analysis. Technomic, Lancaster

    Google Scholar 

  26. Hashin Z, Rosen BW (1964) The elastic moduli of fibre-reinforced materials. J Appl Mech 31:223–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. (2019) ABAQUS/STANDARD analysis user’s manual, vol II. Dassault Systemes, Vélizy-Villacoublay

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, 147004, India

    Deepak Jain, Sandeep Vats & Tarun Kumar Bera

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia

    Abhijit Mukherjee

Authors
  1. Deepak Jain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sandeep Vats
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tarun Kumar Bera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Abhijit Mukherjee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Deepak Jain.

Additional information

Technical Editor: Paulo de Tarso Rocha de Mendonça, Ph.D.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Jain, D., Vats, S., Bera, T.K. et al. A framework for three-dimensional finite element analysis of unidirectional and cross-ply composite layups through localized microstructures under hygromechanical conditions. J Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. 42, 346 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-020-02424-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-020-02424-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation