Numerical investigation on mechanical behavior of 3D orthogonal woven composites in hygrothermal environments

Abstract

3D orthogonal woven composites (3DOWCs) are increasingly utilized in various engineering applications due to their superior mechanical properties. However, their mechanical properties and damage mechanisms could be significantly influenced by the environmental factors such as temperature and moisture. This study aims to investigate the mechanical behavior of 3DOWCs under hygrothermal conditions through meso-scale finite element (FE) simulations. The proposed FE model is validated using existing experimental results under standard temperature and humidity conditions, and subsequently applied to predict the performance in hygrothermal environments. The effects of temperature, humidity, and loading conditions on the mechanical properties of 3DOWCs are analyzed and the corresponding failure mechanisms are revealed. This study offers significant insights into the hygrothermal behavior of 3DOWCs, thereby facilitating their optimal design and implementation in various engineering applications.