Prediction on viscoelastic properties of three-dimensionally braided composites by multi-scale model

Three-dimensional viscoelastic properties of four-step three-dimensionally (3D) braided composites are studied in this paper. Based on the three-cell division scheme, a multi-scale model for 3D braided composites is proposed. A periodic boundary condition is applied to characterize the periodic structure of 3D braided composites and yarns. Given the viscoelastic parameters of resin matrix and the elastic constants of fibers, the viscoelastic properties of yarns are obtained by the finite element method and Prony Series fitting. The three-dimensional viscoelastic constitutive relationship of interior cells is derived based upon the viscoelastic properties of yarns and resin matrix. Moreover, the viscoelasticity of 3D braided composites is studied by creep experiment. The viscoelastic deformation obtained from the multi-scale method agrees well with the experimental results. The influence of the two independent micro-structural parameters, braiding angles, and fiber volume fractions, on the viscoelastic properties of 3D braided composites is investigated in detail.