Multi-scale (Macro-Meso-Micro) Progressive Failure Simulation of the Carbon Fiber Braided Structure Under Quasi-static Mechanical Loading

The non-linear mechanical behavior of a braided composite was predicted using a progressive failure model based on multi-scale (macro-meso-micro) simulation. For the multi-scale simulation, the representative volume element (RVE) of micro-scale and meso-scale models were constructed, and their stress amplification factors were calculated and used in the macro-scale model to predict the progressive failure of fiber and matrix in each scale models during their iterative calculation. To verify the developed multi-scale progressive failure model, the load–displacement curve from the simulation of meso-scale braided composite plate as well as the macro-scale braided composite pipe structure were compared with those from the experiments. Also, the fractography of the braided composite structure were compared with those from the progressive failure simulations. Finally, a dynamic response test and simulation were performed and compared each other to confirm the predicted elastic modulus of the braided composite tubes with various braiding pattern and their cross-sections. The proposed multi-scale model successfully predicted not only the mechanical behavior of braided composites, but also progressive damage accumulation such as micro-scale and meso-scale fiber/matrix failure during the mechanical loading.