Effects of Fiber Geometry on Energy Absorption of Arched Composites

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This article presents the effects of fiber geometry on the energy absorption capability of arched composites. Composite arches with different fiber constructions, i.e., laminated and woven, and different fiber orientations, i.e., large angle (908) and small angle (158) between adjacent layers (for laminated) and between strands (for woven), were fabricated with a VARTM technique and centrally impacted at low velocities. It was found that both fiber construction and fiber orientation played important roles in the damage process. Composite arches with a large angle between adjacent layers and strands suffered delamination and fiber breakage during the buckling—post-buckling process while composite arches with a small angle between adjacent layers and strands suffered fiber bridging during the progressive damage process. Although the larger-angle composite arches absorbed more energy than the small-angle counterparts, the former experienced catastrophic damage after maximum impact while the latter retained significant integrity.