Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Application of Three Unit-Cells Models on Mechanical Analysis of 3D Five-Directional and Full Five-Directional Braided Composites

  • Published:
Applied Composite Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As new lightweight textile material, 3D five directional and full five directional braided composites (5DBC and F5DBC) have tremendous potential applications in the aerospace industry. Before they are used in primary loading-bearing structures, a rational characterization of their mechanical properties is essential. In this paper, three types of unit-cell models corresponding to the interior, surface and corner regions of 5DBC and F5DBC are proposed. By introducing the reasonable boundary conditions, the effective stiffness properties of these two materials are predicted and compared by the three unit-cells models. The detailed mechanical response characteristic of the three unit-cell models is presented and analyzed in various loading cases. Numerical results show good agreement with experiment data, thus validates the proposed simulation method. Moreover, a parametric study is carried out for analyzing the effects of braiding angle and fiber volume fraction on the elastic properties of 5DBC and F5DBC. The obtained results can help designers to optimize the braided composite structures.

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

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zhang, F., Liu, Z.G., Wu, Z., Tao, G.Q.: A new scheme and microstructural model for 3D full 5-directional braided composites. Chinese J. Aeronaut. 23(1), 61–67 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Wang, Y.Q., Wang, A.S.D.: Microstructure/Property relationships in three-dimensionally braided fiber composites. Compos. Sci. Technol. 53(2), 213–232 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Wang, Y.Q., Sun, X.K.: Digital-element simulation of textile processes. Compos. Sci. Technol. 61(2), 311–319 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Li, D.S., Fang, D.N., Lu, Z.X., Yang, Z.Y., Jiang, N.: Finite element analysis of mechanical properties of 3D four directional rectangular braided composites part 2: Validation of 3D finite element model. Appl. Compos. Mater. 17(4), 389–404 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Sun, H.Y., Di, S.L., Zhang, N., Pan, N., Wu, C.C.: Micromechanics of braided composites via multivariable FEM. Comput. Struct. 81(20), 2021–2027 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Zeng, T., Wu, L.Z., Guo, L.C.: A finite element model for failure analysis of 3D braided composites. Mat. Sci. Eng. A. 366(1), 144–151 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Fang, G.D., Liang, J., Wang, B.L.: Progressive damage and nonlinear analysis of 3D four-directional braided composites under unidirectional tension. Compos. Struct. 89(1), 126–133 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Wu, D.L.: Three-cell model and 5D braided structural composites. Compos. Sci. Technol. 56(3), 225–233 (1996)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Lu, Z.X., Feng, Z.H., Kou, C.H.: Studies on tensile properties of braided structural composite materials. Acta Mater. Compos. Sin. 16(3), 129–134 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Zheng, X. T.: Microstructural modeling and mechanical analysis of 3D braided composites. Northwest Polytech. Univ. (2003)

  14. Chen, L., Liang, Z.Q., Ma, Z.J.: Experimental investigation on longitudinal properties of 3-D 5-directional braided Composites. J. Mater. Eng. 8(3–6) (2005)

  15. Lu, Z.X., Liu, Z.X.: Elastic properties for 3 dimensional and 5 directional braided composites. J. Beijing Univ. Aeronaut. Astronaut. 32(4), 455–460 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Xu, K., Xu, X.W.: Microstructure model of 3-D 5-directional rectangular braided composites. J. Nanijing Univ. Aeronaut. Astronaut. 40(2), 168–173 (2008)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Li, D.S., Lu, Z.X., Chen, L., Li, J.L.: Microstructure and mechanical properties of 3D and 5directional braided composites. Int. J. Solids. Struct. 46(17–18), 3422–3432 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Xu, K., Xu, X.W.: Finite element analysis of mechanical properties of 3D five-directional braided composites. Mat. Sci. Eng. A. 487(1–2), 499–509 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Li, D.S., Fang, D.N., Jiang, N., Yao, X.F.: Finite element modeling of mechanical properties of 3D five-directional rectangular braided composites. Compos. B. 42(6), 1373–1385 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Li, J.C., Chen, L., Zhang, Y.F., Pan, N.: Microstructure and finite element analysis of 3D five directional braided composites. J. Reinf. Plast. Comp. 31(2), 107–115 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Pi, X.B., Qian, K., Cao, H.J.: Microstructure analysis of 3D full 5-directional braided composites. Aero. Mater. Technol. 41(6), 39–43 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Sherburn, M.: Geometric and mechanical modelling of textiles. Nottingham Univer. (2007)

  23. Kim, H.J., Swan, C.C.: Voxel-based meshing and unit-cell analysis of textile composites. Int. J. Nume. Meth Eng. 56(7), 977–1006 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Xia, Z.H., Zhou, C.W., Yong, Q.L., Wang, X.W.: On selection of repeated unit cell model and application of unified periodic boundary conditions in micro-mechanical analysis of composites. Int. J. Solids. Struct. 43(2), 266–278 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Chamis, C.C.: Mechanics of composites materials: Past, Present and Future. J. Compos. Technol. Res. 11(1), 3–14 (1989)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors of this paper wish to acknowledge the financial support by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.11272146).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Mailbox 261, No.29, Yudao Street, Nanjing, 210016, China

    Chao Zhang, Xiwu Xu & Kang Chen

Authors
  1. Chao Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xiwu Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kang Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiwu Xu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhang, C., Xu, X. & Chen, K. Application of Three Unit-Cells Models on Mechanical Analysis of 3D Five-Directional and Full Five-Directional Braided Composites. Appl Compos Mater 20, 803–825 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-012-9309-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-012-9309-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation