Damage modeling and characterization of a three-dimensional woven composite

The characterization and modeling of the inplane damage behavior of a three-dimensional woven composite are conducted with the use of the Mesoscale Composite Damage Theory, developed by Ladeveze. A first analysis of the composite fabric provides the main geometrical properties that can affect the mechanical behavior. A model previously established for aeronautical carbon/epoxy laminates is applied in a simplified version. It assumes an elastic and brittle behavior in the directions of the fibers, and degradation mechanisms like matrix micro-cracking and fiber debonding under a shear stress state. The model utilizes two experimental laws to be identified for the description of damage and inelastic strains. Then, the experimental procedure is presented by means of tensile tests on two relevant kinds of samples. The identification of the elastic, failure, damage and inelastic properties is performed. The comparison between complementary experiments and simulation shows a good fitting for small strains.