Prediction of Effective Material Properties for Triaxially Braided Textile Composite

Abstract

In this study, finite element modeling was used to predict the material properties of tri-axially braided textile composite. The model was made based on an experimental test specimen which was also used to compare the final results. The full interlacing of tows was geometrically modelled, from which repeating parts that make up the whole braid called unit cells were identified based on the geometric and mechanical property periodicity. In order to simulate the repeating nature of the unit cell, periodic boundary conditions were applied. For validation of the method, a reference model was analyzed for which a very good agreement was obtained. Material property calculation was done by simulating uniaxial and pure shear tests on the unit cell. The comparison of these results with that of experimental test results showed an excellent agreement. Finally, parametric study on the effect of number of plies, stacking type (symmetric/anti-symmetric) and stacking phase shift was conducted.