Characterisation of natural fibre composites using X-ray computer tomography aided engineering
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Structural engineering and building technology (MPSEB), MSc
Publicerad
2023
Författare
Iversen, Marcus
Årmann, Anton
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
The incorporation of bio-based materials and biocomposites is a crucial component in the
pursuit of climate neutrality. Volvo Cars has set a target to achieve climate neutrality by
2040, leading to a growing interest in the application of bio-based materials and biocomposites.
This has stimulated research in the field of mechanical behaviour and modelling,
using Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tools. Today there is a lack of Finite Element
(FE) and material models for biocomposites, in particular those made of natural fibres as
they display a complex microstructure.
Throughout the project three kenaf fibre reinforced composite samples are analysed and
characterised. The complex microstructure is obtained from Computer Tomography (CT)
scanning, which is a non-destructive method. X-ray computer tomography Aided Engineering
(XAE) is used to characterise the nonlinear behaviour of natural fibre composites
by creating a FE-model. The FE-model is used in a virtual tensile test and compared
against a physical test to calibrate the material properties of the samples. FE-simulations
of natural fibre composites based on detailed information of their microstructure lacks in
the litterature. To the best of our knowledge, conducting it at the coupon level has not
been attempted in research until this day.
The results shows that the characterisation of the microstructure using CT-scanning is
successful. Furthermore, the result shows that the XAE process, going from image data
to creating a mesh and running a quasi-static FE analysis, is applicable to a natural fibre
composite. Thereafter, virtual tests are correlated against the mechanical tests and the material
calibration successfully captures the initial stiffness, the non-linearity and the peak
load of the samples. Further, the response for different areal weights are successfully
predicted using the calibrated mechanical properties
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Natural fibre reinforced composite , Computer tomography , Finite element, , Material characterisation , Correlation , Virtual testing , XAE , LS-DYNA , RETOMO , Kenaf