3D Four-directional Braided Composites Research Articles

Finite element modeling of mechanical properties of 3D five-directional rectangular braided composites

A new parameterized finite element model (FEM) is established for 3-Dimensional (3D) five-directional rectangular braided composites. The model precisely simulates the spatial configuration of the braiding yarns and the axial yarns with consideration of the cross-section deformation as well as the surface contact in the braiding process. Moreover, this model orients in the same reference frame as the composites and the relationships among the structural parameters, particularly the braiding angle and the interior braiding angle, are investigated. A prediction of the effective elastic properties and the meso-scale mechanical response of 3D five-directional braided composites have been presented to verify the validation of the FEM. The effects of the braiding parameters on the mechanical properties are investigated in detail in this study. The results indicate that it is convenient to predict all the elastic constants of 3D five-directional braided composites with different parameters simultaneously using the FEM. Moreover, the FEM can successfully predict the meso-scale mechanical response of 3D five-directional braided composites containing periodical structures. In the mean while, the geometric characteristics and the mechanical properties of 3D five-directional and 3D four-directional braided composites have been compared.

Prediction of Tensile Modulus of 3D Four-Directional Braided Composites with Transverse Cracks

To a laminate model of 3D four-directional braided composites with periodic transverse cracks, a new normal stress function in weave direction is present. In this function, variations of stress with x and y are considered. By using the principle of minimum complementary energy, stress components in the representative unit are obtained. Tensile modulus of 3D four-directional braided composites with periodic transverse cracks is calculated by utilizing Hashin’s average theory and the principle of minimum complementary energy. To demonstrate the solution, some examples are analyzed.

Research on Tensile Properties and Size Effect of 3D Four-Directional Braided Composites

By the macroscopic tensile tests of the 3D four-directional braided composites, the failure pattern and fracture morphology of specimens with different geometric sizes have been observed. It is obtained that the different failure mechanisms and the material properties are relevant to the geometric sizes of samples under tensile states. The elastic properties of the braided composites are obtained by volume average method. The variation of shear modulus and Poisson ratio is obtained as well. It is shown that the elastic modulus increases with the increase of number of interior cells. The predicted results are in agreement with the experimental results. The results may provide experimental basis for further study on strength prediction and the establishment of strength criterion for 3D four-directional braided composites.

Effect of Interface Properties on Mechanical Behavior of 3D Four-Directional Braided Composites with Large Braid Angle Subjected to Uniaxial Tension

A Representative Volume Cell (RVC) chosen to epitomize the entire three dimensional four-directional braided composites is investigated to evaluate the mechanical behavior of the material by computational micromechanics. In addition to including several damage modes of braid yarn and matrix within the braided composites, the numerical model also takes into account interface damage mode by using a Cohesive Zone Model (CZM). A parametrical study is conducted to evaluate the influence of interface properties on the macro stress-strain curve and the interaction of different failure modes of the braided composites under uniaxial tensile loading. The interface damage evolution of the braided composites with large braid angle is also provided further. Preliminary results indicate that the interface damage, which is one of the key factors to cause the nonlinearity of the stress-strain relationship, can decrease the elastic modulus but not obviously control the ultimate strength of the braided composites with large braid angle.

Experimental Investigation on Compressive Properties for 3D Four-Directional Braided Composites

Based on changing the braid angle and geometrical sizes, the compressive experiment of 3D braided four-directional Carbon/Epoxy braided composites is researched. It is found that failure of the braided composites exhibits compressive and shear failure mode. The failure crack propagates mainly in one or two 45º shear direction. Epoxy matrix among braid yarns of the braided composites is squeezed out to form epoxy band. The stress-strain relations of the braided composites with 45º and 30º braid angles all appear nonlinear apparently. Meanwhile the correlation of failure modes and constitutive relation with geometrical sizes of the braided composites is obtained. The compressive stress-strain relations of the braided composites are not great affected by the geometrical sizes. The compressive strengths with great discrete behaviors do not have obvious rules with height of the braided composites.

The effect of yarn distortion on the mechanical properties of 3D four-directional braided composites

A representative volume cell (RVC) is chosen to analyze the mechanical properties of 3D (3 dimensions) four-directional braided composites. Owing to braid yarns (an assembly of fibers) squeezing against each other in the braided composites, the braid yarns are distorted. Based on geometrical characteristics of the braided composites, cross-section of each braid yarn is supposed to be an octagon and divided into seven regions in the RVC. The distortion characteristics of yarns are considered in each region. Elastic properties of each region obtained by stochastic function theory are introduced into finite element model to calculate the mechanical properties of the RVC. The influences of yarn distortion on the stiffness and strength of the braided composites are obtained and discussed.

Progressive damage and nonlinear analysis of 3D four-directional braided composites under unidirectional tension

A representative volume cell (RVC) is chosen to analyze the progressive damage behavior of 3D four-directional braided composites with large braid angle subjected to uniaxial tension. An anisotropic damage model is established by Murakami-Ohno damage theory. A new damage evolvement model is proposed, which is controlled by material fracture energy of braided composites constituents and equivalence displacements. According to the different damage modes (yarn transverse tension, compression and shear; yarn longitudinal tension and compression; matrix cracking), the different damage states and progressive damage of the braided composite are obtained. The numerical results show that the main failure modes of the braided composites are transverse tension, shear breakage of yarns and matrix cracking, which are in good agreement with the relevant experimental results in some literatures.