Cyclic behaviour of 3D-woven composites in tension: Experimental testing and macroscale modelling

Composites with 3D-textile reinforcement present several engineering advantages. However, their intricate yarn architecture also creates a material with a number of nonlinear behaviours and features, which need to be understood in order to enable their efficient use. To demonstrate the anisotropic development of such non-linear behaviours, and how they depend on loading mode, tensile samples of a 3D-woven layer-to-layer angle interlock carbon-fibre reinforced epoxy composite are tested experimentally (data shared publicly). More specifically, specimens are cut and tested at orientations of 0(degrees), 15(degrees), 30(degrees), 45(degrees) and 90(degrees) relative to the direction of the warp yarns. The samples are tested cyclically by loading and unloading them at progressively higher displacement values. By monitoring the reduction in stiffness and the development of permanent strains it is possible to identify material parameter values used to calibrate an anisotropic macroscale elasto-plastic damage model. The model shows promising agreement with the experimental results.