DFG-Stitch Absorber

The application of sewing joints as predetermined failure points for assessable energy absorption requires detailed knowledge about its process defining parameters.

This project, funded by the DFG, aims for increased energy absorption and an improved structural integrity of FRP structures in case of critical tensile and bending load, while element joints are systematically used for energy absorption. For this purpose the stitches of the sewing joints are used as assessable predetermined breaking points. Adapting the seam design enables an adjustability of the energy absorption. Within the project various sewing threads were analyzed and along with computed tomography a micromechanical finite element model of a single sewing point was modeled. The parameterized geometry allows a variation of the sewing stitch parameters for detailed analysis of the failure processes. Accompanied by experimental studies, these results served as a basis for computationally efficient macro models. In addition to a very detailed examination of the processes and the resulting gain of information the experimental effort can be reduced by predictive simulations. The application of sewing joints as predetermined failure points for assessable energy absorption requires detailed knowledge about its process defining parameters. This knowledge shall be acquired at IVW within this project.