LAUSR

Abstract A procedure is developed to generate a conformal finite element mesh of a textile composite unit cell with a complex micro-geometry with the aim of improving the accuracy of micro-mechanics analysis. A realistic micro-geometry of a textile composite unit cell is initially generated by using a fiber level dynamic relaxation approach. Yarn surfaces are then discretized into triangle elements. An algorithm is established to remove inter-yarn interferences and gaps induced by numerical errors. The unit cell is first divided into a uniform cuboid element mesh, which is later modified and converted to a conformal finite element (FE) mesh through of a process of node shifting and element splitting. In the conformal mesh, the element boundary perfectly matches the yarn-to-yarn interface. Compatibility between elements is ensured. The quality of each element is examined. The mesh can be input to commercial FEM softwares for composite stress analysis.