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Multi-Scale Modeling of an Integrated 3D Braided Composite with Applications to Helicopter Arm

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Abstract

A study is conducted with the aim of developing multi-scale analytical method for designing the composite helicopter arm with three-dimensional (3D) five-directional braided structure. Based on the analysis of 3D braided microstructure, the multi-scale finite element modeling is developed. Finite element analysis on the load capacity of 3D five-directional braided composites helicopter arm is carried out using the software ABAQUS/Standard. The influences of the braiding angle and loading condition on the stress and strain distribution of the helicopter arm are simulated. The results show that the proposed multi-scale method is capable of accurately predicting the mechanical properties of 3D braided composites, validated by the comparison the stress-strain curves of meso-scale RVCs. Furthermore, it is found that the braiding angle is an important factor affecting the mechanical properties of 3D five-directional braided composite helicopter arm. Based on the optimized structure parameters, the nearly net-shaped composite helicopter arm is fabricated using a novel resin transfer mould (RTM) process.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2016YFC-0304301) and Scientific and Technological Transformative Project of Jiangsu Province (No.BA2016170).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China

    Diantang Zhang & Kun Qian

  2. Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Composites, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, 300387, China

    Li Chen, Ying Sun & Yifan Zhang

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  1. Diantang Zhang
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  2. Li Chen
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  3. Ying Sun
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  4. Yifan Zhang
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  5. Kun Qian
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Correspondence to Diantang Zhang.

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Zhang, D., Chen, L., Sun, Y. et al. Multi-Scale Modeling of an Integrated 3D Braided Composite with Applications to Helicopter Arm. Appl Compos Mater 24, 1233–1250 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-017-9584-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-017-9584-x

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