EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON OPTIC PERFORMANCES OF OPTIC FIBER BRAIDED IN CARBON FIBER BRAIDED COMPOSITES

D braiding technology has stimulated a great deal of interest in the world at large and been widely used in aerospace, military, civil construction and medical fields. Although 3 D braided composites have many good features, their features are very complicated. Optic fiber sensors can be multi braided into 3 D braided composites to fulfill a new kind of 3 D smart composites to monitor RTM process, study mechanical behaviors and damage states after molding, and monitor its own condition during service life. Since optic performances of optic fibers have direct and important relation to the performances of optic fiber sensors, experimental research is done to devise a method to incorporate the optic fiber into a 3 D structure. The optical performances of the braided optic fibers are tested and compared with the original one to study the optic performances of optic fibers, before their being braided into composites and after the RTM process.

Investigation on the Thermal Conductivity of 3-Dimensional and 4-Directional Braided Composites

It is vital to choose a factual and reasonable micro-structural model of braided composites for improving the calculating precision of thermal property of 3-D braided composites by finite element method （FEM）. On the basis of new microstructure model of braided composites proposed recently, the model of FEM calculation for thermal conductivity of 3-dimennsional and 4-directional braided composites is set up in this paper. The curves of coefficient of effective thermal conductivity versus fiber volume ratio and interior braiding angle are obtained. Furthermore, comparing the results of FEM with the available experimental data, the reasonability and veracity of calculation are confirmed at the same time.

Creep Test of Polymer-matrix 3-D Braided Composites

The long-term creep behavior of polymer-matrix 3-D braided composites was studied by using the tensile creep test method, and the effect of braiding structure, braiding angle and fiber volume fraction were discussed. The creep curve appears as expected, and can be defined two phases, namely, the primary phase and the secondary phase. For each sample, strain increases with time rapidly, and then the strain rate decreases and appears to approach a constant rate of change (steady-state creep). The experiment results show that the creep resistant properties are improved while the braiding angle decreases or the fiber volume fraction increases, and that the five-directional braiding structure offers better creep resistant properties than the four-directional braiding structure.

Effects of Fiber Volume Fraction on Damping Properties of Three-Dimensional and Five-Directional Braided Composites

The effects of fiber volume fraction on damping properties of carbon fiber three-dimensional and five-directional( 3D-5Dir)braided carbon fiber / epoxyres in composite cantilever beams were studied by experimental modal analysis method. Meanwhile,carbon fiber plain woven laminated / epoxy resin composites with different fiber volume fraction were concerned for comparison. The experimental result of braided specimens shows that the first three orders of natural frequency increase and the first three orders of the damping ratios of specimens decrease, when the fiber volume fraction increases. Furthermore,larger fiber volume fraction will be valuable for the better anti-exiting property of braided composites,and get an opposite effect on dissipation of vibration energy. The fiber volume fraction is an important factor for vibration performance design of braided composites. The comparison between the braided specimens and laminated specimens reveals that 3D braided composites have a wider range of damping properties than laminated composites with the same fiber volume fractions.

Tensile Properties of 3-Dimension-4-directional Braided C_f/Si C Composite based on Double-scale Model

The longitude tensile properties of 3-Dimension-4-directional（3D-4d） braided C/Si C composites（CMCs） were investigated with the help of a double scale model. This model involves micro-scale and unit-cell scale. In micro-scale, the tensile properties of fiber tows which involves matrix cracking, interfacial debonding, and fiber failure are studied. The unit-cell scale model can reflect the braided structure and simulate the tensile properties of 3D-4d CMCs by introducing the tensile properties of fiber tows into it. Quasi-static tensile tests of 3D-4d braided CMCs were performed on a PWS-100 test system. The predicted tensile stressstrain curve by the double scale model is in good agreement with that of the experimental results.

DAMAGE MECHANISM ANALYSIS OF 2D 1×1 BRAIDED COMPOSITES UNDER UNIDIRECTIONAL TENSION

Coupling with the periodical displacement boundary condition,a representative volume element(RVE) model is established to simulate the progressive damage behavior of 2D1×1 braided composites under unidirectional tension by using the nonlinear finite element method.Tsai-Wu failure criterion with various damage modes and Mises criterion are considered for predicting damage initiation and progression of yarns and matrix.The anisotropic damage model for yarns and the isotropic damage model for matrix are used to simulate the microscopic damage propagation of 2D1×1braided composites.Murakami′s damage tensor is adopted to characterize each damage mode.In the simulation process,the damage mechanisms are revealed and the tensile strength of 2D1×1braided composites is predicted from the calculated average stress-average strain curve.Numerical results show good agreement with experimental data,thus the proposed simulation method is verified for damage mechanism analysis of 2D braided composites.

DETERMINATION OF INTERNAL STRAIN IN 3-D BRAIDED COMPOSITES USING OPTIC FIBER STRAIN SENSORS

A reliable understanding of the properties of 3-D braided composites is of primary importance for proper utilization of these materials. A new method is introduced to study the mechanical performance of braided composite materials using embedded optic fiber sensors. Experimental research is performed to devise a method of incorporating optic fibers into a 3-D braided composite structure. The efficacy of this new testing method is evaluated on two counts. First, the optical performance of optic fibers is studied before and after incorporated into 3-D braided composites, as well as after completion of the manufacturing process for 3-D braided composites, to validate the ability of the optic fiber to survive the manufacturing process. On the other hand, the influence of incorporated optic fiber on the original braided composite is also researched by tension and compression experiments. Second, two kinds of optic fiber sensors are co-embedded into 3-D braided composites to evaluate their respective ability to measure the internal strain. Experimental results show that multiple optic fiber sensors can be co-braided into 3-D braided composites to determine their internal strain which is difficult to be fulfilled by other current existing methods.

Statistical Model of the 3-D Braided Composites Strength

Based on the statistical model for the tensile statistical strength of unidirectional composite materials and the stress analysis of 3-D braided composites, a new method is proposed to calculate the tensile statistical strength of the 3-D braided compos- ites. With this method, the strength of 3-D braided composites can be calculated with very large accuracy, and the statistical parameters of 3-D braided composites can be determined. The numerical result shows that the tensile statistical strength of 3-D braided composites can be predicted using this method.

Electrical⁃Mechanical Coupling Behaviors and Thermal⁃Resistance Effects of 3D Braided Composites

Electrical-mechanical coupling behaviors and thermal-resistance effects of 3D braided composites under external loads are important for structural health monitoring(SHM). Electrical conductivity and electrical-mechanical coupling behaviors of 3D braided carbon fiber/epoxy composites under uniaxial tension were reported. It was found that the transverse resistance decreased and the axial resistance increased with the increasing braiding angle. The fractional change in resistance increased linearly as the strain was below 1.0%, and the nonlinearity appeared when the strain exceeded 1.0%. The negative temperature coefficient(NTC) effect was observed before the glass transition temperature Tg of epoxy resin, while there was a positive temperature coefficient(PTC) effect after Tg.

Defects Recognition of 3D Braided Composite Based on Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Packet Transform

Textile-reinforced composites,due to their excellent highstrength-to-low-mass ratio, provide promising alternatives to conventional structural materials in many high-tech sectors. 3D braided composites are a kind of advanced composites reinforced with 3D braided fabrics; the complex nature of 3D braided composites makes the evaluation of the quality of the product very difficult. In this investigation,a defect recognition platform for 3D braided composites evaluation was constructed based on dual-tree complex wavelet packet transform( DT-CWPT) and backpropagation( BP) neural networks. The defects in 3D braided composite materials were probed and detected by an ultrasonic sensing system. DT-CWPT method was used to analyze the ultrasonic scanning pulse signals,and the feature vectors of these signals were extracted into the BP neural networks as samples. The type of defects was identified and recognized with the characteristic ultrasonic wave spectra. The position of defects for the test samples can be determined at the same time. This method would have great potential to evaluate the quality of 3D braided composites.

Using Acoustic Emissions to Detect Damage in Three-Dimensional Braided Composites

Three-dimensional(3D)braided composites with better properties have been used in some particular industries.Some have had obvious signs of crack when they are braided.Others have had catastrophic failures occuring without warning.A new methodology for the analysis of failure modes in composite materials by means of acoustic emission techniques has been developed.The occurrence of fiber-breakage during tensile loading tests has been observed by the acoustic emission technology.Using acoustic emission technology is investigated as a means of monitoring 3D braided composites structures,detecting damage,and predicting impending damage.Some of the findings of the research project were presented.

Effects of Microstructure on Quasi⁃Static Transverse Loading Behavior of 3D Circular Braided Composite Tubes

The effects of microstructure on quasi-static transverse loading behavior of 3D circular braided composite tubes were studied. Transverse loading tests were conducted. Transverse load-deflection curves were obtained to analyze the effects of braiding parameters including the braiding angle, the wall thickness, and the diameter on the transverse loading of 3D circular braided composite tubes. Breaking loads, moduli and strengths had also been used to describe the transverse loading behaviors. The failure morphologies were shown to reveal damage mechanisms. From the results, the increase in braiding angle, wall thickness and diameter increases the ability of anti-deformation and breaking load of braided tubes. The breaking load of specimen with a braiding angle of 45° is about 1.68 times that of specimen with a braiding angle of 15°. The breaking load of specimen with 4 layers of yarns is about 2.15 times that of specimen with 2 layers of yarns. The breaking load of the tube with a diameter of 25.5 mm is about 2.39 times that of the tube with a diameter of 20.5 mm.

Elastic Modulus Prediction of Three-dimension-4 Directional Braided C_f/SiC Composite Based on Double-scale Model

Double-scale model for three-dimension-4 directional（3D-4d） braided C/SiC composites has been proposed to investigate its elastic properties. The double-scale model involves micro-scale that takes fiber/ matrix/porosity in fibers tows into consideration with unit cell which considers the 3D-4d braiding structure. Micro-optical photographs of composites have been taken to study the braided structure. Then a parameterized finite element model that reflects the structure of 3D-4d braided composites is proposed. Double-scale elastic modulus prediction model is developed to predict the elastic properties of 3D-4d braided C/SiC composites. Stiffness and eompliance-averaging method and energy method are adopted to predict the elastic properties of composites. Static-tension experiments have been conducted to investigate the elastic modulus of 3D-4d braided C/SiC composites. Finally, the effect of micro-porosity in fibers tows on the elastic modulus of 3D-4d braided C/SiC composites has been studied. According to the conclusion of this thesis, elastic modulus predicted by energy method and stiffness-averaging method both find good agreement with the experimental values, when taking the micro-porosity in fibers tows into consideration. Differences between the theoretical and experimental values become smaller.

A New Scheme and Microstructural Model for 3D Full 5-directional Braided Composites

Three-dimensional（3 D）braided composites are a kind of advanced ones and are used in the aeronautical and astronautical fields more widely. The advantages, usages, shortages and disadvantages of 3D braided composites are analyzed, and the possible approach of improving the properties of the materials is presented, that is, a new type of 3D full 5-directional braided composites is developed. The methods of making this type of preform are proposed. It is pointed out that the four-step braiding which is the most possible to realize industrialized production almost has no effect on the composites＇ properties. By analyzing the simulation model,the advantages of the material compared with the 3D 4-directional and 5-directional materials are presented. Finally, a microstructural model is analyzed to lay the foundation for the future theoretical analysis of these composites.

Damage Simulation for 3D Braided Composites by Homogenization Method

In order to study the failure patterns and strength of 3D braided composites from the microscopic view, the damage propagation under tensile loading steps in three kinds of unit cells is simulated. The homogenization formula of micro-stress and the solving approach of finite element method are given firstly. A criterion is presented to determine the damage and its pattern of each element, and then the stiffness degradation method based on Murakami's geometric damage theory is used to simulate the status of damage under tensile loading steps for three kinds of unit cells. It can be seen that the damage percentage and damage pattern of damaged unit cell are totally different for different kind of unit cells. More damaged elements are observed for face cell and corner cell than that for body cell. It is also observed that the damage firstly occurs at the area of face cell, which agrees well with experimental results. It is verified that considering the effects of face and corner cells are important for the damage and strength analysis of 3D braided composites.

A novel surrogate modeling strategy of the mechanical properties of 3D braided composites

In this paper,a surrogate-based modeling methodology is developed and presented to predict the elastic properties of three dimensional(3 D)four-directional braided composites.Using this approach,the prediction process becomes feasible with only a limited number of training points.The surrogate models constructed using Finite Element(FE)method and Diffuse Approximation,reduce the computational time and cost for preparing experimental samples.In the FE model,multiscale method is applied to couple the computations of elastic properties at microscale and mesoscale.Subsequently,a parametric study is performed to analyze the effects of the three design parameters on the elastic properties.Satisfactory results are obtained via the surrogatebased modeling predictions,which are compared with the experimental measurements.Moreover,the predictions obtained from surrogate models concur well with the FE predictions.This study orients a new direction for predicting the mechanical properties based on surrogate models which can effectively reduce the sample preparation cost and computational efforts.

Numerical simulation on thermal expansion coefficient of 3D braided C/C composites

To effectively get the thermal expansion coef- ficient （CTE） of three-dimensional （3D） braided C/C composites and study the variations, a VC＋＋ program with graphical user interfaces was obtained, based on the yam unit model and numerical analysis. With the limited basic properties of carbon fibers and carbon matrix, CTE of 3D braided C/C composites is obtained at 85 ~C. The deviation between the simulated and exl^erimental axial CTE of 3D braided C/C composites is no more than 11%. The effects of different parameters （including the braiding angle of 3D braided preform, the fiber volume fraction and the porosity of 3D braided C/C composites, and the elastic modulus, Poisson＇s ratio and CTEs of carbon fibers and carbon matrix） were analyzed with the program. The results show that the axial CTE of C/C composites decreases with the increase of the braiding angle, the fiber volume fraction, and the porosity of 3D braided C/C composites. The transverse elastic modulus of carbon fibers has the greatest effect on the axial CTE among the studied mechanical parameters, followed by the elastic modulus and Poisson＇s ratio of carbon matrix.

A Mixed Wavelet-Learning Method of Predicting Macroscopic Effective Heat Transfer Conductivities of Braided Composite Materials

In this paper,a novel mixed wavelet-learning method is developed for predicting macroscopic effective heat transfer conductivities of braided composite materials with heterogeneous thermal conductivity.This innovative methodology integrates respective superiorities of multi-scale modeling,wavelet transform and neural networks together.By the aid of asymptotic homogenization method(AHM),off-line multi-scalemodeling is accomplished for establishing thematerial databasewith highdimensional and highly-complexmappings.Themulti-scalematerial database and the wavelet-learning strategy ease the on-line training of neural networks,and enable us to efficiently build relatively simple networks that have an essentially increasing capacity and resisting noise for approximating the high-complexity mappings.Moreover,it should be emphasized that the wavelet-learning strategy can not only extract essential data characteristics from the material database,but also achieve a tremendous reduction in input data of neural networks.The numerical experiments performed using multiple 3D braided composite models verify the excellent performance of the presentedmixed approach.The numerical results demonstrate that themixedwaveletlearningmethodology is a robustmethod for computing themacroscopic effective heat transfer conductivities with distinct heterogeneity patterns.The presentedmethod can enormously decrease the computational time,and can be further expanded into estimating macroscopic effective mechanical properties of braided composites.

Postbuckling behavior of 3D braided rectangular plates subjected to uniaxial compression and transverse loads in thermal environments

Postbuckling behavior of the 3D braided rectangular plates subjected to uniaxial compression combined with transverse loads in thermal environments is presented.Based on a micro-macro-mechanical model,a 3D braided composite may be treated as a cell system and the geometry of each cell is deeply dependent on its position in the cross-section of the plate.The material properties of the epoxy are expressed as a linear function of temperature.Uniform,linear and nonlinear temperature distributions through the thickness are involved.The lateral pressure(three types of transverse loads,i.e.transverse uniform load;transverse patch load over a central area;and transverse sinusoidal load)is first converted into an initial deflection and the initial geometric imperfection of the plate is taken into account.The governing equations are based on Reddy’s higher-order shear deformation plate theory with a von Kármán-type of kinematic nonlinearity.Two cases of the in-plane boundary conditions are also taken into account.A perturbation technique is employed to determine buckling loads and postbuckling equilibrium paths of simply supported 3D braided rectangular plates.The results reveal that the temperature rise,geometric parameter,fiber volume fraction,braiding angle,the character of the in-plane boundary conditions and different types of initial transverse loads have a significant effect on the buckling and postbuckling behavior of the braided composite plates.