Verification of a Three-Dimensional Resin Film Infusion Proecss Simulation Model

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dc.contributor.authorCaba, Aaron C. Jr.en
dc.contributor.committeechairLoos, Alfred C.en
dc.contributor.committeememberJohnson, Eric R.en
dc.contributor.committeememberBatra, Romesh C.en
dc.contributor.departmentEngineering Science and Mechanicsen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:51:08Zen
dc.date.adate1998-03-05en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:51:08Zen
dc.date.issued1998-02-04en
dc.date.rdate1999-03-05en
dc.date.sdate1998-02-04en
dc.description.abstractThis investigation completed the verification of a three-dimensional resin transfer molding/resin film infusion (RTM/RFI) process simulation model. The model incorporates resin flow through an anisotropic carbon fiber preform, cure kinetics of the resin, and heat transfer within the preform/tool assembly. The computer model can predict the flow front location, resin pressure distribution, and thermal profiles in the modeled part. The formulation for the flow model is given using the finite element/control volume (FE/CV) technique based on Darcy's Law of creeping flow through a porous media. The FE/CV technique is a numerically efficient method for finding the flow front location and the fluid pressure. The heat transfer model is based on the three-dimensional, transient heat conduction equation, including heat generation. Boundary conditions include specified temperature and convection. The code was designed with a modular approach so the flow and/or the thermal module may be turned on or off as desired. Both models are solved sequentially in a quasi-steady state fashion. A mesh refinement study was completed on a one-element thick model to determine the recommended size of elements that would result in a converged model for a typical RFI analysis. Guidelines are established for checking the convergence of a model, and the recommended element sizes are listed. Several experiments were conducted and computer simulations of the experiments were run to verify the simulation model. Isothermal, non-reacting flow in a T-stiffened section was simulated to verify the flow module. Predicted infiltration times were within 12-20 percent of measured times. The predicted pressures were approximately 50 percent of the measured pressures. A study was performed to attempt to explain the difference in pressures. Non-isothermal experiments with a reactive resin were modeled to verify the thermal module and the resin model. Two panels were manufactured using the RFI process. One was a stepped panel and the other was a panel with two `T' stiffeners. The difference between the predicted infiltration times and the experimental times was 4 to 23 percent.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.identifier.otheretd-2598-11290en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-2598-11290/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/36572en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartacaba.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectresin film infusionen
dc.subjectresin transfer moldingen
dc.subjectcomposite manufacturingen
dc.subjectSimulationen
dc.subjectModelingen
dc.subjecttextile preformen
dc.subjectflow in porous mediaen
dc.subjectHeat--Transmissionen
dc.titleVerification of a Three-Dimensional Resin Film Infusion Proecss Simulation Modelen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineering Science and Mechanicsen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen
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