Abstract

Simulation of composite structures through Finite Elements Method (FEM) is widely used in the aeronautics sector to reliably predict its performance. The incorporation of new materials with enhanced properties, and also new manufacturing processes usually require the use of such tools for validation.

This work has been focussed on studying an emerging technology such as Pultrusion for stiffeners manufacturing. For this, it has been used a demonstrator based on a common airframe structure, panels stiffened with profiles. This time, the classic stiffener manufactured using prepreg and autoclave cured has been replaced by stiffeners manufactured by Pultrusion. For that purpose, it was manufactured flat panels using prepegs and autoclave curing, for subsequently bond L shaped high resistance carbon fibre profiles manufactured by Pultrusion.

Furthermore, FEM simulations were conducted over these coupons for three different mechanical testing conditions, tensile, compression and shear, aiming to determine the capability of these methods for simulating reliably the mechanical performance of pultruded materials on such above-mentioned structures.

The results obtained in this work have been used for model parameter adjustments to obtain reasonable correlation levels, enabling the future usage of Pultrusion technology in the stiffener profiles manufacturing.