Effects of yarn defects and specimen size on impact compressive damages of 3-D angle interlock woven composites

The objective of this work is to investigate yarn defects and specimen size on the impact compressive properties of 3-D angle interlock woven composites (AIWCs). The size effects on impact compressive properties were tested along in plane and out of plane directions. A new finite element model, with inherent defects in the geometrical model of yarns, was established to simulate impact compressive properties of the 3-D AIWCs. The model was further used to analyze size effects on impact compressive properties of 3-D AIWCs. We found the size effect on the 3-D AIWCs was not apparent both in experimental and numerical results; however, the random defects in yarns had a great effect on the compressive properties of 3-D AIWCs along different directions. The yarns effects will weaken the compressive stiffness and strength significantly.