Models for Textile Composites Forming

INTRODUCTION Drape of dry fabrics or prepregs was recognised as an important feature in composites forming operations from the start. In the 1950s the first mathematical models were developed based on purely kinematic arguments. The assumption of zero fibre strains and trellis deformations led to the socalled fishnet approach. Typically, these methods require certain arbitrary constraints to reach a unique solution. In recent years, automated processing of especially thermoplastic composite laminates (as in Fig.1) has provided an incentive for further development of CAE tools including more elaborate analyses of the forming processes.