Micro-Mechanical Finite Element Analysis

of Single Z-pin Pull-out

Bing Zhang, Giuliano Allegri
Advanced Composites Centre for Innovation and Science (ACCIS), University of Bristol

www.bris.ac.uk/composites

Introduction

2/XX

Z-pinning is an effective through-thickness reinforcement technique

whereby small diameter rods (Z-pin) are inserted perpendicularly
into laminate composites to improve delamination resistance and
other through-thickness properties.
Characteristic features of Z-pinned composite laminates

In-plane features (Mouritz, 2007)

Out-plane features(Chang, 2006)

3/XX

Introduction

Single Z-pin analysis provides fundamental understanding of

reinforcement mechanism.

Diagram of single Z-pin test

Mode I test

A three-dimensional FE strategy for single Z-pinned laminates

undergoing Mode I dominated pullout is presented

FE modelling and results

4/XX

Mesh generation
Materials definition
Interface between Z-pin and laminates/resin
Definition of boundary conditions and Mode I simplification
Results and discussions
Conclusions

5/XX

Mesh Generation
1. Ply level mesh

Ply-level mesh

Fibre direction definition

2. Stacking

Stacking

Z-pin misalignment meshing

6/XX

Mesh Generation
3. Full mesh
Top block

Z-pin

Full model

Bottom block

Z-pin misalignment in full model

Experimental sample

Materials definition
Young modulus, El(Gpa)
Young modulus, Et (Gpa)
Shear modulus, Glt (Gpa)
Shear modulus, Gtt (Gpa)
Poissons ratio, vlt
Poissons ratio, vtt
-1
Thermal coefficient, tt(C )
-1
Thermal coefficient, ll(C )

Young modulus, E (Gpa)

Shear modulus, G (Gpa)
Poissons ratio, v
-1
Thermal coefficient, (C )

Laminate(IM7/8552)
161
11.38
5.17
3.98
0.32
0.436
3.0e-5
0

8552 neat resin

4.67
1.73
0.35
7.5e-5

Z-pin (T300/9310)
144
7.31
4.45
2.63
0.25
0.39
3.0e-5
0

7/XX

8/XX

Interface between Z-pin and laminates/resin

Interface modelled by Vuinter of Abaqus/Explicit

n ,max

m,max

t ,max

max( n ,0) t

+
= 1

n , max

t ,max

GI

GIC

n
t ,max

GII
+
= 1
G
IIC

n
Bonding between Z-pin and laminates/resin

0
n = k max(d ,0)

d0 0

t = max( 0 min(max(

d0 d
,0),1) + n , t ,max )
d0

Modified Coulomb Friction after debonding

9/XX

Interface between Z-pin and laminates/resin

Input script of VUINTER
*SURFACE INTERACTION, PADTHICKNESS=0, NAME=USERINTER, USER,
DEPVAR=33, PROPERTIES=11

blank line

**Imax, IImax,
KI,
KII,
GI,
GII, ,
c
30., 60., 1.e+5., 1.e+5, 1.e+5, 1.e+5, 1, 0.03,
** , s0, smax
0.8, 25, 40

cohesive law properties

friction law properties

10/XX

Definition of boundary conditions & Mode I simplification

Whole analysis consists of cure step and pull-out step

Temperature Field:
-160C w.r.t. cure

Boundary condition definition in cure step

11/XX

Definition of boundary conditions & Mode I simplification

Whole analysis consists of cure step and pull-out step
Mode I

Mode I
Mixed Mode

Mixed Mode

Mode II

Mode II

Boundary conditions definition in pull-out step

12/XX

Definition of boundary conditions & Mode I simplification

Simplification for Mode I dominated pull-out

Simplification of Mode I

Pull-out angle definition

13/XX

Results and Discussions

Uni-directional (UD)- cure results

interface compression

interface tension
0.3s

debonding initiation
0.6s

bonding

debonding
1.0s

Results and Discussions

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Uni-directional (UD)- pullout results

Pull-out of Z-pin from UD laminates

Enhanced friction zone

Results and Discussions

15/XX

Uni-directional (UD)- pullout results

complete debonding
frictional pull-out

Reaction force vs. displacement curves of Z-pin pull-out from UD

16/XX

Results and Discussions

Quasi-isotropic (QI)- cure results

debonding initiation location

0.3s

0.6s

almost complete debonding

1.0s

Results and Discussions

17/XX

Quasi-isotropic (QI)- pullout results

negligible influence of
interface debonding

Reaction force vs. displacement curves of Z-pin pull-out from QI

18/XX

Results and Discussions

Zero-dominated (ZD)- cure results

almost complete debonding

debonding initiation
0.3s

0.6s

1.0s

Results and Discussions

19/XX

Zero-dominated (ZD)- pullout results

negligible influence of
interface debonding

Reaction force vs. displacement curves of Z-pin pull-out from ZD

Conclusions

20/XX

A three dimensional FE modelling strategy for simulating the micro-mechanical

behaviour associated with single Z-pin pull-put was presented. It could be used
to simulate Mode I, Mode II and Mixed-Model behaviours with the introduction
of a suitable failure criterion for the Z-pin reinforcement.
Half models of the actual single Z-pin coupons were employed to analyse Mode
I in order to reduce the computational cost of the simulation. Mixed-mode
displacement boundary conditions were applied to these half models in order to
represent the inherent misalignment of the Z-pins.
A VUINTER subroutine of Abaqus/Explicit was developed to model both the
cohesive nature of the Z-pin/laminate interface and the associated frictional
behaviour during the pull-out phase.
Three stacking-sequences of Z-pinned laminates were modelled which used the
same material and contact parameters. The resulting load versus displacement
curves are in good agreement with experimental results.

Acknowledgements

21/XX

The authors would like to acknowledge Rolls-Royce plc for having

supported this research via the Composites University Technology
Centre (UTC) at the University of Bristol.
The authors are also grateful to Dr Mehdi Yasaee, Dr James
Lander and Dr Fabrice Helenon for the discussion of the
experimental results and the modelling strategy.

Thanks for your attention