Progressive damage simulation of triaxially braided composite using a 3D meso-scale finite element model

Abstract This article proposes a fully three-dimensional finite element model, developed at the meso-scale level, to predict the progressive damage behavior of a single-layer triaxially braided composite subjected to tensile loading conditions. An anisotropic damage model is established by Murakami–Ohno damage theory to predict damage initiation and progression in the fiber tows. A traction–separation law has been applied to predict theoretically the progressive damage of fiber tow interfaces. The proposed model correlates well with experiment on both global stress–strain responses and local strain distributions. According to the damage contours at different global strain levels, the damage development of fiber tows and interlaminar delamination damage of interface are obtained, explicitly analyzed and correlated with experimental observations. The comparison of model prediction and experimental observations indicate that the model can accurately simulate the damage development of this composite material, i.e. fiber bundle splitting, interaction of free-edge effect and delamination, and final failure of the specimen. This paper also discusses the role of material properties/parameters on the global responses through numerical parameter studies.