Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer CFRP materials have the potential to meet high structure-mechanical and complex functional requirements, improving efficiency of lightweight structures. However:
-Thick-walled composite components are required but exhibit manufacturing defects;
-Complex components limit the possibilities for a cost-efficient manufacturing;
-Recycled high performance CFRP is a need for environment and society;
-Loading conditions (thermomechanics, acoustics) are complex.
This project develops an integrated computational approach to optimise the process and design of thick-walled composite components, by
-Combining high pressure SMC process and autoclave curing for cost efficiency;
-Developing a process simulation tool dedicated to thick-walled components;
-Developing data-driven stochastic multi-scale simulation tools for complex components;
-Implementing a comprehensive life cycle analysis to drive the selections;
-Considering a composite brake calliper as demonstrator.