Compression response, strength and post-peak response of an axial fiber reinforced tow

This paper discusses the results of a finite element (FE)-based study of the compressive instabilities of axial fiber tows in 2D triaxial braided carbon fiber composites (2DTBC). A 3D FE model of an axial tow is used in conjunction with the ABAQUS commercial FE code. To accommodate unstable snap-back post-peak behavior, an arc-length solution technique is adopted to solve the FE equations. Explicit account of the braid microstructure (geometry and packing) and the measured inelastic properties of the matrix (the in-situ properties) are accounted for via the use of the FE method. This type of detailed modeling is necessary for developing a mechanism-based failure prediction capability. The computational model provides a means to assess the compressive strength of the axial fiber tow and its dependence on various microstructural parameters. It also serves as a tool to assess the most significant parameters that affect compressive strength of a 2DTBC.