Compressive failure analysis of quasi-isotropic composite laminates fabricated with quasi-unidirectional woven fabric

Abstract

The effect of configuration of quasi-unidirectional woven fabric on the compressive failure modes of quasi-isotropic composite laminates was investigated in this study. Two kinds of out-of-plane fiber waviness were formed in the composite laminates due to different quasi-unidirectional woven fabrics and measured using a fast Fourier transform method. The compressive failure modes of the composite laminates were identified using experimental and numerical methods. It was found that the compressive strength of a composite laminate fabricated using long-pitch weft fabrics was greater than that fabricated using standard-pitch weft fabrics. The relationship between the compressive strength and the configuration of quasi-unidirectional woven fabrics was investigated in a parametrical study, and four compressive failure modes were found: the axial compressive, normal, bending, and shear failure modes.