A meso-finite element model with random voids in matrix is developed to simulate the tensile progressive damage of three-dimensional braided composites. A stiffness degradation method for generating the random void defect element in finite element method is presented. Proper criteria are adopted as initial damage of components, and stiffness degradation is implemented for damage propagation. The tensile strengths are predicted from calculated stress–strain curves. From simulation, void defects in matrix make the redistribution of micro-stress and accelerate the damage propagation of three-dimensional braided composites. Furthermore, void defects reduce the strength and ductility of the composites, but the reduction is not obvious if the porosity is controlled within a range.
The present work aims to study the effect of nano-TiO 2 modified epoxy on the tension, compression, and fracture toughness properties of nano-doped polymer (NP) and nano-doped 3D woven (NW) composites. Nanoparticles are dispersed into epoxy using high-speed shear mixing and ultrasonication processes. Vacuum-assisted resin infusion molding process is utilized to prepare the woven composites. The results indicate that nanoparticle addition can
Voids are common defects in 3D woven composites because of the complicated manufacturing processes of the composites. In this study, a micro–meso multiscale analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence of voids on the mechanical properties of three-dimensional orthogonal woven composites. Statistical analysis was implemented to calculate the outputs of models under the different scales. A method is proposed to generate the reasonable mechanical properties of the microscale models considering randomly distributed voids and fiber filaments. The distributions of the generated properties agree well with the calculated results. These properties were utilized as inputs for the mesoscale models, in which void defects were also considered. The effects of these defects were calculated and investigated. The results indicate that tensile and shear strengths were more sensitive to the microscale voids, while the compressive strength was more influenced by mesoscale voids. The results of this study can provide a design basis for evaluating the quality of 3D woven composites with void defects.
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