Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Finite element analysis of the damage mechanism of 3D braided composites under high-velocity impact

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The integrated near-net-shape structure of 3D braided composites provides excellent impact resistant properties over laminated composites. However, the load distribution and damage mechanism throughout the braided structures become more complicated. In this paper, a finite element model based on three unit-cells is established to assess the penetration process of 3D braided composites under high-velocity impact. A 3D rate-dependent constitutive model is employed to determine the constituent behavior in the three unit-cells. An instantaneous degradation scheme is proposed initiated by appropriate failure criteria of yarns and matrix. All these constitutive models are coded by a user-material subroutine VUMAT developed in ABAQUS/Explicit. The whole process of ballistic damage evolution of 3D braided composites is simulated, and the impact resistance and damage mechanisms are analyzed in detail in the simulation process. The effects of impact velocity on the ballistic properties and energy absorption characteristics of the composite structures are also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Yang JM, Ma CL, Chou TW (1986) Fiber inclination model of three dimensional textile structural composites. J Compos Mater 20(5):472–484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Wang YQ, Wang ASD (1995) Microstructure/property relationships in three dimensionally braided fiber composites. Compos Sci Technol 53(2):213–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Chen L, Tao XM, Choy CL (1999) On the microstructure of three-dimensional braided preforms. Compos Sci Technol 59(3):391–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Xu K, Qian XM (2015) Microstructure analysis and multi-unit cell model of three dimensionally four-directional braided composites. Appl Compos Mater 22(1):29–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Sun HY, Qiao X (1997) Prediction of mechanical properties of three-dimensionally braided composites. Compos Sci Technol 57(6):623–629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Yu XG, Cui JZ (2007) The prediction on mechanical properties of 4-step braided composites via two-scale method. Compos Sci Technol 67(3–4):471–480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Zhang C, Xu XW (2013) Finite element analysis of 3D braided composites based on three unit-cells models. Compos Struct 98:130–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Sun J, Zhou GM, Zhou CW (2015) Microstructure and mechanical properties of 3D surface-core 4-directional braided composites. J Mater Sci 50:7398–7412. doi:10.1007/s10853-015-9297-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Zeng T, Wu LZ, Guo LC (2004) A finite element model for failure analysis of 3D braided composites. Mater Sci Eng A 366(1):144–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Dong JW, Feng ML (2010) Asymptotic expansion homogenization for simulating progressive damage of 3D braided composites. Compos Struct 92(4):873–882

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Fang GD, Liang J, Wang BL (2011) Effect of interface properties on mechanical behavior of 3D four directional braided composites with large braid angle subjected to uniaxial tension. Appl Compos Mater 18(5):449–465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Zhang DT, Sun Y, Wang XM et al (2015) Meso-scale finite element analyses of three-dimensional five-directional braided composites subjected to uniaxial and biaxial loading. J Reinf Plast Comp 34(24):1989–2005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Gong JC, Sankar BV (1991) Impact properties of three-dimensional braided graphite/epoxy composites. J Compos Mater 25(6):715–731

    Google Scholar 

  14. Flanagan MP, Zikry MA, Wall JW et al (1999) An experimental investigation of high velocity impact and penetration failure modes in textile composites. J Compos Mater 33(12):1080–1103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Xu J, Gu BH (2002) Damage pattern and failure mode of 3-dimensional composites under ballistic impact. J Ballist 14(2):39–43

    Google Scholar 

  16. Wen HM (2000) Predicting the penetration and perforation of FRP laminates struck normally by projectiles with different nose shapes. Compos Struct 49(3):321–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Naik NK, Shrirao P (2004) Composite structures under ballistic impact. Compos Struct 66(1–4):579–590

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Udatha P, Kumar CVS, Nair NS, Naik NK (2012) High velocity impact performance of three-dimensional woven composites. J Strain Anal Eng Des 47(7):419–431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Jenq ST, Mao JJ (1996) Ballistic impact response for two-step braided three dimensional textile composites. AIAA Journal 34(2):375–384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Jenq ST, Kuo JT, Sheu LT (1998) Ballistic impact response of 3D four-step braided glass/epoxy composites. Key Eng Mater 141–143(1):349–366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Gu B, Ding X (2005) A refined quasi-microstructure model for finite element analysis of three dimensional braided composites under ballistic penetration. J Compos Mater 39(8):685–710

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Ji KH, Kim SJ (2007) Dynamic direct numerical simulation of woven composites for low-velocity impact. J Compos Mater 41(2):175–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Gu B (2007) A microstructure model for finite-element simulation of 3D rectangular braided composite under ballistic penetration. Philos Mag 87(30):4643–4669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Bahei-El-Din YA, Zikry MA (2003) Impact induced deformation fields in 2D and 3D woven composites. Compos Sci Technol 63(7):923–942

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Zhang Y, Jiang LL, Sun BZ et al (2012) Transverse impact behaviors of four-step 3-D rectangular braided composites from unit-cell approach. J Reinf Plast Comp 31(4):233–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Sun BZ, Liu YK, Gu BH (2009) A unit cell approach of finite element calculation of ballistic impact damage of 3-D orthogonal woven composite. Compos Part B 40(6):552–560

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Li ZJ, Sun BZ, Gu B (2010) FEM simulation of 3D angle-interlocked woven composite under ballistic impact from unit cell approach. Comput Mater Sci 49(1):171–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Tang YY, Sun BZ, Gu BH (2011) Impact damage of 3D cellular woven composite from unit-cell level analysis. Int J Damage Mech 20(3):323–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Mahmood A, Wang X, Zhou C (2011) Modeling strategies of 3D woven composites: a review. Compos Struct 93:1947–1963

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Karim MR, Fatt MSH (2006) Rate-dependent constitutive equations for carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy. Polym Compos 27(5):513–528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Chamis CC (1989) Mechanics of composites materials: past, present and future. J Compos Technol Res 11(1):3–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Zhu LT, Sun BZ, Hu H et al (2012) Ballistic impact damage of biaxial multilayer knitted composite. J Compos Mater 46(5):527–547

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors of this paper wish to acknowledge the financial support by Postdoctoral Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (1402101C), Senior Talent Start-up Foundation of Jiangsu University (14JDG136), Jiangsu Government Scholarship for Overseas Studies, and Jiangsu University Study abroad Fund.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

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

    Chao Zhang & Enock A. Duodu

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

    Jose L. Curiel-Sosa

Authors
  1. Chao Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jose L. Curiel-Sosa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Enock A. Duodu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chao Zhang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, C., Curiel-Sosa, J.L. & Duodu, E.A. Finite element analysis of the damage mechanism of 3D braided composites under high-velocity impact. J Mater Sci 52, 4658–4674 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-0709-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-0709-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation