Mechanical Properties of Tri-axially Braided Composites: A Parametric Study

In this work, a parametric study of mechanical properties for tri-axially braided composite is presented. The main parameters involved are: braided angle “θ”, fiber volume fraction “Vf” and fiber type. An analytical modeling is adopted to evaluate the 3D elastic properties and ultimate strengths. That model is based on a multi-scale homogenization method, the 3SHM (three Stages Homogenization Method). Tsai-Wu and Christensen Failure criteria and a damaged stiffness model are used to predict the failure of composites. A validation of the analytical model is done by a comparison with available experimental and numerical FE data. Then, the parametric study is performed. The main results that can be noticed are at θ around 50 degrees. For different types of fibers and Vf, the composite is almost in-plane isotropic, where in-plane Young’s moduli and tensile strengths are equal, and the highest values of in plane shear modulus and shear strength are shown.