Optimum Lay-Up Design Analysis of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Composite Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

In this study, the focus was on the optimum design of laminate stacking sequences (LSS) of basalt fiber reinforced composite (BFRP). Composite is a combination of two or more materials, which are commonly known as reinforcement and matrix. As for this project, basalt was selected as the reinforcement since this material still need a thorough study before it can be used for application, while epoxy was used as the matrix. There are many factors that could affect the properties of a composite such as fiber matrix bond, the type and volume of fiber, the distribution and orientation of fiber within the matrix, the ability to obtain isotropic and orthotropic behavior if required, ease of handling of the reinforcement and a suitable method for manufacture. Because of these factors, the mechanical properties of a composite might be different from each other. For that reasons, the analysis for BFRP has been conducted by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, ANSYS Composite Pre-Post (ACP). Firstly, the simulation was validated with previous experiment conducted in the selected literature. A nonlinear simulation for three-point flexural test was done for the validation purpose and the results obtained from the simulation were compared with the experimental results from literature. From the result, it was shown that the plotted line of load-displacement graph for ANSYS result was acceptable. Then, the simulation was extended to the designing of different layup sequences of basalt fiber reinforced composite (BFRP) which was aimed for maximum strength and stiffness. Several combinations of different orientation angles were introduced on the layers, and the results obtained showed that the increase in orientation angle θ leads to the decrease in composite stiffness. Stress-strain curve of the results were plotted for further analysis.