Progressive damage investigation of 2.5D woven composites under quasi-static tension

Abstract

In this paper, the progressive damage of 2.5D layer-to-layer angle-interlock woven composites under quasi-static tension is investigated on a mesoscopic scale. A damage model is developed, considering the fiber damage, matrix crack and interfacial damage. The representative volume cell is established to predict the strength of the 2.5D woven composites. The damage initiation and propagation criteria are based on the Puck criterion for the fiber yarn, the paraboloidal yield criterion for the matrix and the quadratic stress criterion for the fiber yarn–matrix interface. The tensile stress–strain curve and damage evolution law of the woven composites are predicted. Some typical experiments are carried out to verify this numerical model. The damage behavior of the composites, where the variation of the interfacial fracture energy is taken into consideration, is simulated to study the influence of the interface properties on the strength. The results show that the fiber yarn–matrix interface damage characteristics play an important role in tensile strength.