I.C.S. Gain insight into the JEC 2014 l.C.S. Americas programme Multi-Scale Modeling of Composites A paradigm shift in the optimal engineering of composites materials & structures Interview Roger Assaker is the CEO of e-Xstream engineering, he will present the latest advancements in behavior simulation during the Boston JEC ICS conferences. JCM: How can behavioral simulation change the composite industry as we know it? Roger Assaker : These days, the engineering composite structures follows the "building block approach" that is dominated by extensive testing to determine the material and design allowables. The composite is treated as a "black metal" and compared to the tested allowables augmented by a substantial safety factor. All this results in a long and costly design and engineering process and sub-optimal composite structures. Advanced simulation methods, focusing on the actual behavior of the composite, can help reduce the time and cost of engineering optimal composite structures while increasing the confidence and reducing the safety factors. JCM: What is the expertise of e-Xstream in this field? R. A. : e-Xstream is a unique software and engineering company 100% focused on advanced composite modeling. We help our customers reduce the time and cost needed to develop and use composite materials. We offer Digimat, the material modeling platform combining the tools, solution and expertise needed to enable composite materials and structures engineering. Digimat uses nonlinear multi-scale modeling technology to predict the behavior of a composite based on the behavior of its constituents (matrix/fibers) and on the underlying microstructure (fiber content, length, orientation) as dictated by the manufacturing process. We model a kind of composites (i.e. Multi-phase materials) ranging from engineering plastics 32 jec composites magazine / No92 October - November 2014 (e.g. short fiber reinforced thermoplastics used in the Auto or E&E industry) to high performance CFRP (e.g. UD Tape of Woven Carbon fiber reinforced Thermosets). JCM: What are your main goals during this speech in Boston in October? R. A. : Our main objective from our presentation in Boston is to share with the industry our vision regarding composite modeling. In other terms, how effective and efficient composite modeling can help the industry reduce the time and cost of designing optimal composite structures. Find out more about the Simulation session in partnership with e-Xstream by on www.jeccomposites.com. It will take place on October 29th in Boston during the JEC Composite conferences.http://www.jeccomposites.com