Braided composites. 3rd Report. Estimation of the fracture and strength of braided composites by the numerical analysis method.

Abstract

In the previous paper, we have proposed the numerical analysis method for estimating the elastic modulus of braided composite. This analytical model is based on the faithful expression of fiber the orientation state. In this report, the analysis method to estimate the tensile strength and to simulate the fracture process of a braided composite is extended. The braided flat bar is composed of three local parts are which have different fiber weave geometres. The stress states of each part are calculated by nonlinear analysis. The tensile strength and fracture process of the braided flat bar are estimated from the numerical results of local parts of flat bar. The results predicted by numerical analysis are compared with the experimental results. The numerical results of the tensile strengths agree well with experimental results. Moreover, in the predictions of the fracture process, an agreement is found between the numerical and experimental results. Also, numerical analysis of the braided composite flat bar cutting edges is carried out. These results suggest that the continuity of fibers at the side edges is important.