Eventos Anais de eventos
COBEM 2023
27th International Congress of Mechanical Engineering
Algorithm implementation for automated modeling of a composite structure
Submission Author:
Iuri Hermes Müller , RS , Brazil
Co-Authors:
Iuri Hermes Müller, Maikson Luiz Passaia Tonatto, Sandro Amico, Pedro Lucas Carvalho
Presenter: Iuri Hermes Müller
doi://10.26678/ABCM.COBEM2023.COB2023-2040
Abstract
Structures manufactured in laminated composites are being widely used in the aerospace, naval, automotive and civil sectors due to their outstanding structural performance. One of the main advantages is the possibility of designing them to meet different structural requirements, varying geometric parameters of the structure for cost savings or improved structural performance. It is usually necessary to carry out modeling and simulation of these structures, generally using the Finite Element Method (FEM), in order to study their mechanical behavior. In this context, this work aims at developing an algorithm for the creation of an automated model of a support arm of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a laminate composite structure using FEM to simulate different operating conditions. The applied loads and geometric parameters of the structure are varied within a range of discretized values defined based on practical restrictions of manufacturing and operation of the arm, and the stresses and deformations obtained are verified, and a laminate failure criteria is adopted. The algorithm is written in Python programming language and implemented in the Abaqus software, so that model generation, loading conditions and mechanical responses are obtained automatically. The support arm model is based on a commercial UAV, to which shape simplifications are imposed for easier determination of the geometric parameters. The arm has a lattice structure, and the analyzed variables are its width and height, thickness of the lattice sections (i.e., thickness of the laminate) and number of cells in the lattice structure. Different cases are analyzed obtaining a set of mechanical responses including stresses, deformations and displacements of the structure, and applying a laminate failure criteria in order to evaluate the mechanical strength of the composite material. Subsequently, this automated model is applied as an optimized condition of the support arm with reduced mass and improved stiffness is obtained.
Keywords
Automated modeling, finite element, Support arm, composite structures, geometric parameters, mechanical behavior
