A Multi-Scale Approach for the Virtual Characterization of Transversely Isotropic Viscoelastic Materials in the Frequency Domain

This paper proposes a multi-scale approach for the modeling of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics under steady-state conditions in the frequency domain. On the micro-scale, statistically representative volume elements under periodic boundary conditions are used to determine homogenized master curves for five independent Generalized Maxwell Models which represent the transversely isotropic viscoelastic behavior of unidirectionally reinforced lamina. A comparison with experimentally determined storage and loss moduli of the composite under investigation is carried out. These five master curves are transformed into independent Prony series by using a least-squares optimization strategy, thus representing the lamina on the meso-scale. The proposed material model is implemented as a user-defined material model for the commercial finite element software Abaqus and parameterized by using the previously identified Prony series coefficients. The developed user-defined material model is used to investigate the steady-state behavior of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer laminates and hybrid CFRP-elastomer-metal laminates on the macroscopic component level. ... mehrThe proposed method is found capable of virtually characterizing the viscoelastic behavior of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers in the frequency domain and presents a viable tool to investigate and optimize hybrid CFRP-elastomer-metal laminates with regard to steady-state behavior and vibration damping characteristics.