Predicting flexural properties of carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastics sheet moulding compounds

In this paper, a stochastic morphological modelling framework previously developed for tension is further developed to predict flexural properties of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastic Sheet Moulding Compound (CFRTP-SMC). The flexural modulus is predicted using a Monte Carlo simulation and classical laminate theory, and the flexural strength is predicted by using Weibull theory which accounts for fibre discontinuities. The results are validated against the experimental results from the Takahashi Lab of the University of Tokyo. The model will enable rapid designs of CFRTP-SMC structures with less testing, leading to potential cost reduction in structural applications.