Bending of Two-Ply Cord Composite Cylindrical Shells

The load-displacement behavior of two-ply laminate cord composite cylindrical shells was quantitatively and qualitatively assessed with an emphasis on the effect of cord-ply angle. An equilibrium approach was used to develop the load-displacement model that took into account the mechanics of the matrix, the cords, and the shell. The load-displacement results for a two-ply laminate cord composite cylindrical shell typical of what can be found in steel-belted radial tires were presented. Those results illustrate that the shell behavior depends upon the loading and the unique combination of the cord-ply angle, cord extension-twist coupling and large axial stiffness, rubber's small elastic modulus and large Poisson's ratio, and small cord volume fraction.