Failure mechanics of triaxially braided carbon composites under combined bending-compression loading

Strips of carbon 2D braided textile composites (2DTBC) were used as test specimens to investigate the failure mechanisms associated with combined bending/compression displacement control loading. Experiments were conducted by eccentrically loading the strips to determine the types of failure mechanisms. The test data were used to postulate a strength criterion for failure under combined bending/compression loading. A linear relationship between the compressive strains and the bending strains at failure was determined and this observation was captured by a hybrid finite element simulation method that combines micromechanical and macromechanical modeling. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.