Micromechanics of braided composites via multivariable FEM

A new method for micromechanical properties of three-dimensionally braided composite materials via homogenization theory and incompatible multivariable FEM is proposed in this paper. An incompatible displacement element and a hybrid stress element are developed to model the effective mechanical properties of three-dimensional textile composites. Some illustrative applications are presented for a typical class of four-step braided composites. Results of the hybrid stress element approach compare more favorably with the experimental data than other numerical methods widely used. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.