Abstract: As for 3D 4-directional rectangular braided composites, a 3-Dimensional (3D) Finite Element Model (FEM) based on a Representative Volume Element (RVE) is established under the periodical displacement boundary conditions, which truly simulates the spatial configuration of the braiding yarns. The FE software ABAQUS is adopted to study the mechanical properties of the composites, including the effective elastic properties and the meso-scale mechanical behaviors. The effects of the braiding angle and the fiber-volume fraction on the engineering elastic constants have been investigated in detail. The predicted effective elastic properties are in good agreement with the available experimental data, demonstrating the applicability of the FEM. By analyzing the stress distribution and deformation of the model, it is proved that the RVE-based FEM can obtain reasonable stress field and successfully represent the meso-scale mechanical behaviors of 3D braided composites containing periodical structures.
Xu Kun and Xu Xiwu , 2007. Meso-Mechanical Analysis of 3D Braided Composites Based on a Finite Element Model . Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2: 1553-1562.