Optimisation of 3D weaves for textile composites

Studies have shown that the mechanical properties of structural components made from 3D woven composite preforms are superior to those made from laminated composites. For example, in I and T-beams, they exhibit higher strength and better impact resistance while the weaving pattern at the bifurcation has been shown to have a significant impact on the mechanical properties.

Composite preforms have many engineering applications. For example, they can be used to make I and T-beams that are used as stiffeners in the aerospace industry. These are often made from layers of woven material stitched together or reinforced using z-pins which can produce fibre damage during insertion. However, recent advancements in weaving methods have led to the ability to produce complex 3D weaves which can lead to enhanced mechanical properties and shorter manufacturing times. Recent studies have shown that the mechanical properties of 3D woven structures are highly dependent on the weaving pattern, making the ability to model and optimise their design important.

The aim of this project is to develop a novel tool for designing these composite shaped preforms. This will require the development of methods to create complex 3D weaves using TexGen, the University of Nottingham's in-house geometric textile modelling software (http://texgen.sourceforge.net), and will include weave optimisation based on the geometry and size constraints, leading to a step change in the modelling and design capability for these types of 3D woven parts