Folding of Thin Composite Structures with a Soft Matrix

The paper presents detailed micromechanical finite element simulations of composite materials with soft materials undergoing large macroscopic bending deformation. The simulations allow the study of fibre microbuckling under bending, including the kinematics of the fibres, as well as the strains in the matrix. These simulations lead to a simple analytical model that allows a quite accurate estimation of the buckling wavelength. It also provides the moment-curvature relationship. Finally, the model is also able to predict the maximum strain in the fibres for a given curvature.