Centre for Advanced Composite Materials
SimLCM
The aim of SimLCM is to develop a complete simulation package capable of undertaking simulations on a range of LCM processes - resin infusion/VARTM, RTM, Compression RTM, RTM Light. SimLCM, unlike other commerically available simulation codes, focusses on prediction of mould tooling stresses as well as cycle time optimisation.
Research areas
This research covers a number of smaller projects, each developing and validating particular areas of focus for the project, such as:
- Material modelling and material characterisation
- Fibre reinforcement compaction response.
- Fibre preform permeability.
- Process simulation for rigid tool processes
- Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) - simple compact and inject case.
- Compression RTM (CRTM) - more complex situation with additional compression phase after resin injection.
- Force-controlled closure - complex situation with non-constant mould closure speed.
- Process simulation for flexible and semi-flexible tool processes
- Resin infusion/VARTM - infusion of resin under a flexible bag.
- RTM Light - semi-flexible tool with some stiffness - complex couple problem.