Numerical modeling of 3D woven hybrid composites for stiffness and strength prediction

Abstract

Due to recent development of the advanced 3D woven composites, it has been possible to adjust the mechanical properties either by placing the fiber tows in a certain direction or by replacing the fibers having nominal mechanical properties with the fiber of higher mechanical properties in a certain proportion. The later process is known as hybridization of reinforcement material. By adding the fibers with higher mechanical properties adds the cost and second and more important is the estimation of elastic and strength properties of hybridized material. In the current study, an efficient numerical model is established which can estimate the in-plane elastic and strength properties of 3D hybrid woven composites. At first a detailed geometry is constructed for a finite element mosaic model for a weave configuration which is already available in the literature. After validating the models successfully, fiber tows in a certain ratio are replaced with other materials to attain the hybridization of 3D woven composite. Finally, a numerical model established to find the elastic and strength properties of hybrid 3D woven composite