Stokes–Brinkman formulation for prediction of void formation in dual-scale fibrous reinforcements: a BEM/DR-BEM simulation

A numerical study of voids formation in dual-scale fibrous reinforcements is presented. Flow fields in channels (Stokes) and tows (Brinkman) are solved via direct Boundary Element Method and Dual Reciprocity Boundary Element Method, respectively. The present approach uses only boundary discretization and Dual Reciprocity domain interpolation, which is advantageous in this type of moving boundary problems and leads to an accurate representation of the moving interfaces. A problem admitting analytical solution, previously solved by domain-meshing techniques, is used to assess the accuracy of the present approach, obtaining satisfactory results. Fillings of Representative Unitary Cells at constant pressure are considered to analyze the influence of capillary ratio, jump stress coefficient and two formulations (Stokes–Brinkman and Stokes–Darcy) on the filling process, void formation and void characterization. Filling times, fluid front shapes, void size and shape, time and space evolution of the saturation, are influenced by these parameters, but voids location is not.