Materials Data Workflow for Simulation of Composites in Transportation Applications

Multi-scale material models are being increasing applied for high level simulation of complex materials such as UD layups, fabric laminate composites, fiber-filled plastics. These models require data inputs from a variety of material tests which are then assembled into models used in the finite element solvers. We present an infrastructure for the digitalization of such information, where the required material data are collected including a process for maintaining traceability and consistency of the source data. Information about the compositional characteristics and processing history are captured. Built-in software modules or external client tools can be used for calibration of material models with the resulting material file linked to the source data. The accuracy of the reduced order model can be checked by running a validation simulation against a physical test. Models can be published and released into a master CAE materials library output where they can be used to model such materials for a variety of target solvers. This process improves the reliability and accuracy of composites simulation.