A mesoscopic model using the discrete element method for impacts on dry fabrics

Abstract

Dry fabrics can be investigated in aeronautic field to contain debris. Such structures are most of the time modeled with finite elements leading to heavy time calculations especially due to contact treatment. An alternative way to compute efficiently contact treatment in case of textile under dynamic impact is proposed in this work. An original 3D Discrete Element Method (DEM) is carried out. It consists in a discrete representation of the fabrics at meso (yarn) and macro (textile) scales. The geometrical and mechanical modeling are first described taking into account a brittle elastic behavior for yarns and frictional contact between them. Then basic concepts of the DEM and the mesoscopic model with contact management are presented. An impact simulation scenario is performed to validate the implementation. Results are compared with simulations using the Finite Elements Method but also with available experimental datas.