Multi-Physics Modeling and Simulation of Process-Induced Stresses in Polymer-Matrix Composites

A three-dimensional thermo-chemical simulation of the curing phase of Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) Process and process-induced stress and deformation analysis methodologies are developed. The mechanics model considers orthotropic and thermo-chemically varying viscoelastic stiffness of the composite material and varying boundary conditions during the process cycle. The residual stress and deformation profiles resulting from several processing histories including the effect of thermal expansion, and chemical shrinkage are studied. Several numerical simulations are performed to compare and validate the developed method with the existing solutions.