Analysis of cord-rubber composite laminates under combined tension and torsion loading

Abstract

A three-dimensional (3D) beam finite element model was used to investigate the mechanical behavior of two-ply cord-rubber composite laminates under combined tension and torsional loading. The present 3D beam element takes into account the coupled extension, bending and twisting deformations characteristic of the complex behavior of cord-rubber composite structures. The extension-twisting coupling as a consequence of the twisted nature of the cords was also considered in the finite element model. The results of coupled stiffness obtained from the finite element analysis for a two-ply steel cord-rubber composite under torsional loading are compared with experimental data available in the literature. The effects of cord orientation, anisotropy and volume fraction on the relative deformation/stiffness are presented and discussed.