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Meso-Scale Finite Element Analysis of Mechanical Behavior of 3D Braided Composites Subjected to Biaxial Tension Loadings

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Abstract

In many engineering applications, 3D braided composites are designed for primary loading-bearing structures, and they are frequently subjected to multi-axial loading conditions during service. In this paper, a unit-cell based finite element model is developed for assessment of mechanical behavior of 3D braided composites under different biaxial tension loadings. To predict the damage initiation and evolution of braiding yarns and matrix in the unit-cell, we thus propose an anisotropic damage model based on Murakami damage theory in conjunction with Hashin failure criteria and maximum stress criteria. To attain exact stress ratio, force loading mode of periodic boundary conditions which never been attempted before is first executed to the unit-cell model to apply the biaxial tension loadings. The biaxial mechanical behaviors, such as the stress distribution, tensile modulus and tensile strength are analyzed and discussed. The damage development of 3D braided composites under typical biaxial tension loadings is simulated and the damage mechanisms are revealed in the simulation process. The present study generally provides a new reference to the meso-scale finite element analysis (FEA) of multi-axial mechanical behavior of other textile composites.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Natural Science Research Project of Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu Province (17KJB130004), Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20150479, BK20160786), Jiangsu Government Scholarship for Overseas Studies and Jiangsu University Study-abroad Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China

    Chao Zhang

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    Chao Zhang & Jose L. Curiel-Sosa

  3. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan

    Tinh Quoc Bui

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  1. Chao Zhang
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  2. Jose L. Curiel-Sosa
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  3. Tinh Quoc Bui
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Correspondence to Chao Zhang.

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Zhang, C., Curiel-Sosa, J.L. & Bui, T.Q. Meso-Scale Finite Element Analysis of Mechanical Behavior of 3D Braided Composites Subjected to Biaxial Tension Loadings. Appl Compos Mater 26, 139–157 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-018-9686-0

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