This seminar discusses the use of digital image and volume correlation (DIC/DVC) methods along with micro-computed tomography (µCT) to characterise the deformation and damage behaviour of woven fibre-reinforced thermoplastic-matrix composites. These composites are of interest to industry, but their structural complexity leads to poor understanding of their behaviour, reducing confidence in performance prediction, and hence they have been underutilisation. Results will be reported for the use of advanced characterisation techniques and the development of new methodologies which have advanced the knowledge of these woven fibre-reinforced composites. One new technique discussed allows for the mesoscale topographical analysis of local weave surface deformation for tension, tension-torsion and hemispherical loading. Another improves the examination of internal 3D deformation and strain by combining µCT with DIC and DVC. The techniques developed are applied to various woven composites with different constituents and structures, providing insight into the influence of defects on deformation behaviour and damage development. Finally, the use of µCT data as the basis for creating accurate mesoscale numerical models, digital twins, is also discussed with the approach of creating the mesh from the segmented phases (fibre tows, matrix, and voids). The techniques and approaches that have been developed for composites could be applied to many other materials including for 3D deformation analysis of heterogeneous micro-CT microstructures such as additively manufactured metal and polymer components and natural rock and wood materials.

John Holmes is an engineer with extensive experience in testing, characterising and simulating composite materials and is a senior engineer at New Frontier Technologies (part of the Momentum Industry Hub, Research School of Physics) for testing, modelling and simulation. During his PhD at ANU School of Engineering (currently under examination), he has published and developed specialised expertise in digital image and volume correlation analysis (DIC/DVC), mechanical testing methods, including the creation of novel testing techniques, and finite element analysis (FEA) for creation of high-fidelity digital material twins.