Novel Multi-scale/Multi-physics Integrated Tool for the Prediction of Manufacturing-Induced Defects in Autoclave Composite Airframe Parts

A multi-scale/multi-physics software will be developed to predict manufacturing-induced defects due to materials, parts, tools and processes. Potential defects include voids, ply waviness, delaminations, fiber wrinkling, resin starvation/rich areas, and distortion/warpage caused from tool-part interaction. .Analytical tools will be integrated into a commercial available finite element design and analysis suite to allow the evaluation of effect of these defects on the performance of complex geometries in real processing environments. This STTR will demonstrate the approach on autoclave processing and high-performance composites materials for aerospace structures but the methodology can be implemented for a variety of materials and processes.