3D braided composite rings under lateral compression

Abstract We aim at studying carbon-epoxy cylinders made by resin transfer moulding by association of braided three-dimensional (3D) tubular preforms with DGEBA-IPD resin. Our study focuses on evaluating energy absorption and mechanical behaviour of 3D braided composite rings laterally crushed between flat platens. Firstly, in an experimental part, we observe their static behaviour. Then, regarding the theoretical part, we obtain absorbed energy in the linear elastic state from analytical stress–strain relations. Energy absorption during non-linear response is approached thanks to an integration of a modelled phenomenological load–displacement relation.