A novel multi-scale modelling approach to predict the reduction of transverse strength due to porosity in composite materials

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Porosity is a major manufacturing defect which affects the matrix dominate properties of continuous fibre composites, in particular the transverse strength. The simulation of porosity allows for predictions on the reduction of strength to be made, however, there is a trade-off between accuracy and computational efficiency. The multi-scale modelling approach presented here allows for accurate 3-dimensional geometry data of voids to be used. This is accomplished by first evaluating the effect the porosity has on degrading the matrix then subsequently, by using a representative unit cell, ply level strength can be predicted. The model is validated against empirical tensile and compressive testing of unidirectional autoclave cured prepreg with strong correlation. The approach allows for a reduction in overengineered structures by predicting accurate material properties for a given porosity generation.