A Multi-Scale Modelling Approach Predicting the Effect of Porosity on the Transverse Strength in Composites

Abstract

To validate the model, laminates with differing porosity were manufactured. Specimens were subjected to compressive testing and found to have a 10.5% reduction in strength. Microscopy was used to generate unit cells and the modelling process described in Section 2 was followed providing a model correlation of over 95.2%. The experimental and modelling results can be seen in Figure. 1. Once validated, the model was used to show a reduction in tensile strength from 60.5 MPa to 50.6 MPa.