Modeling of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics Parts with Shell Elements

Abstract

This paper describes the modeling technique of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) using shell elements. The in-plane characteristics were represented by shell elements while the out-of-plane properties were defined in cohesive elements. The material properties were determined based on coupon tests. The laminated CFRP model was validated to a drop test of crash box and to a three-point bending test of double hat-shaped member. The results suggested the possibility to reduce calculation time with shell elements.