Finite element simulation of fibre-reinforced polymers with realistic fibre orientation and fibre volume fraction distributions

We introduce a software package for finite element simulation of continuous fibre-reinforced polymers, based on microstructural field quantities derived from two- and three-dimensional images. Optical microscopy and X-ray computed micro-tomography are employed to capture the fibre distribution, from which fibre orientation and fibre volume fractions are extracted. Field quantities are incorporated into a static compression finite element model implemented in Abaqus^TM. The approach enables the simulation of composites containing local imperfections. Results highlight that combined variations in fibre orientation and fibre volume fraction can induce stress and strain localisation, emphasising the importance of realistic fibre distributions when investigating material behaviour.