Micro-XCT-based finite element method for prediction of elastic modulus of plane woven carbon fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites

Abstract

In this study, an X-ray computer tomography-based finite element method was developed to predict the elastic modulus of a 2D plane woven carbon fiber-reinforced carborundum matrix composite. Micro-X-ray computer tomography was used to construct a geometrical model of the material. Then, the elastic parameters of each element were determined by the grey level of pixels in the images captured. A standard finite element model process was performed to calculate all of the elastic moduli of the material. In addition, a volume average method for determining the proper representative volume element size was developed to reduce the computational time without losing accuracy.