Numerical simulations of the mechanical characteristics of glass fibre reinforced C-profiles

A mechanical characterisation analysis on pultruded glass fibre reinforced C-shaped profiles, developed as modular construction elements to assemble fastening systems, such as doors, window frames and shutters is presented. The key idea is to perform the analysis, and all the related identification procedures of the material parameters, via a coupled approach, based on a limited number of standard laboratory tests and on the numerical finite element simulations of the same tests. The proposed approach allows one to identify all those material parameters which are difficult to detect, by means of simple laboratory experiments on specimens that are extracted from commercial products. It also yields to a calibration of a numerical finite element model which can be used as an effective design tool for profiles made of the same basic constituent materials and produced with the same technology. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.