Characterization and multi-scale modeling of the transverse compression of thick RTM-processed unidirectional samples

Thick RTM-processed unidirectional (UD) samples were produced and tested under transverse compression. The experimental results were confronted to micro-mechanical analyses on representative volume elements (RVEs) with random fiber distributions and periodic boundary conditions. The matrix used is the RTM6 epoxy resin, whose curing cycle was used for the processing of the UD samples. Hence, a constitutive model developed for RTM6 could be used as an input parameter. A damage model for the matrix as well as cohesive elements with a traction-separation law for the fiber-matrix interfaces were also included. The comparison between the predictions and the experimental results and observations highlights the limitations related to the use of a constitutive model validated at the macro-scale, to model the matrix behaviour within the composite, involving a small length scale set by the fiber spacing.