CFRP/aluminium fibre metal laminates: numerical model for mechanical properties simulation

Abstract The realization of hybrid materials allows to achieve high mechanical performances; for this reason, FMLs (Fibre Metal Laminates), which are the combination of composite material and sheet metal, have been used for several applications in different fields, such as aeronautic, aerospace, and automotive. In fact, the best characteristics of both constituent materials are present in FMLs. In the present article, a numerical model is introduced to predict the flexural behaviour of FMLs by using FEM software. The model takes into consideration several phenomena developing in the specimens during the three-point bending loading, such as the material failure due to the normal stress, the progressive damaging, and the delamination due to the shear stress. In such a manner, to simulate different load conditions, given by disparate supports span, is possible. To validate the proposed numerical model, a comparative evaluation between the results obtained from the model and the experimental ones was carried out. The elevated similarity obtained, in terms of both load-displacement curves and failure modes, allowed concluding that the proposed model is suitable for simulating the mechanical behaviour of the FML materials.