Mathematical model of thermoplastic composite helps design and certify highly reliable structures

Credit: Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology

Researchers at the Skoltech Center for Design, Manufacturing, and Materials and their colleagues have developed and experimentally verified the model of a thermoplastic composite material chaotically reinforced by short glass fibers. The effectiveness and applicability of this model were demonstrated on strength calculations of promising composite valves and safety devices for portable tanks for road, rail, and maritime transportation of chemical substances. The results were published in the International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping.

One of the most significant scientific and engineering problems in the design of promising structures is the lack of verified mathematical models describing the behavior of polymer composite materials in complex products. The Skoltech team, together with scientists from the Mechanics and Mathematics Department of Lomonosov Moscow State University, was able to build and verify just such a model.

Assistant Professor Ivan Sergeichev said, the developed model makes it possible to significantly reduce the conservatism of strength calculations in the design and customization of structures, which means to minimize subsequent manufacturing costs while fulfilling the necessary safety and quality requirements.

The obtained results indicate that mathematical models of the behavior of composite materials are applicable to virtual tests of structures instead of expensive full-scale tests.

Sergeichev said, our research group is introducing the modeling methods into the procedures for confirming compliance and certification of highly responsible structures within the framework of the project Experimental and digital certification platform of the Technet roadmap of National Technological Initiative program with the support of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.

Journal Information: Ivan Sergeichev et al, Constitutive material model for the design and virtual testing of pressure vessel service equipment manufactured from thermoplastic fiber-reinforced polymer composites, International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping (2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpvp.2021.104475