M3Strength Contributions Towards the Use of Composites in Automotive Applications: Keynote Speaker

The continuous effort to reduce significantly the CO2 emission has
enforced the automotive industry to embrace composites as a potential
(weight saving) solution. However, for an increased use of these innovative
materials in more load bearing parts, an in-depth understanding
of the mechanical behaviour is mandatory. Whereas stiffness and
Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) are predictable with acceptable
accuracy, the accurate prediction of failure, durability, crash and crush
is still not straightforward and necessitates urgently the development
of more advanced numerical prediction tools. In an attempt to bridge
this gap, the MacroModelMat (M3) research program key targets are
to develop, based on a multi-scale approach, efficient validated predictive
modeling methodologies and tools for macro-level quasi-static behaviour,
fatigue, crush, crashworthiness. The roadmap to achieve these
targets, addressed in the M3 program coordinated by Siemens PLM
Software, will be presented. Emphasis will be given to the multi-scale
crush simulation and the experimental fatigue testing results as part of
the extensive experimental test programme to validate the models.