Three-Level Design of Composite Structures

A composite can be considered at three scale levels: fibre-matrix, structural element and a composite volume where averaging of properties is allowed. At each level of consideration a certain set of initial data has to be used. These data determine composite component properties, the characteristics of a preform structure and finally the construction parameters. The set of data has to be changed in the transition from one scale level to another following the simulation model transformation. Using such an approach it is necessary to establish a link between the different composite models. The necessary set of relations can be found from the finite element simulation of a composite under mechanical and thermal loading.