Three-dimensional finite-element/nodal-control-volume simulation of the pultrusion process with temperature-dependent material properties including resin shrinkage

This paper discusses the development and application of the finite-element/ nodal-control-volume (FE/NCV) approach for three-dimensional pultrusion ana lysis. A numerical procedure is designed which uses a combination of the fi eld analysis module of a general-purpose finite-element package and a few u ser-written computer codes. Numerical schemes employed for calculating the effects of convective heat-transfer on temperature and degree of cure, for modelling resin cure kinetics and the effects of temperature-dependent mate rial properties, and for determining the dimensional changes due to chemica l shrinkage and thermal expansion of resin are discussed in detail. Case st udies are presented demonstrating the simulation of the pultrusion process for different components including irregular and hollow sections. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.