Analytical Modeling On Mechanical Responses And Damage Morphology Of Flexible Composites Under Trapezoid Tearing

The flexible composite usually consists of two components such as base fabric and coatings. The base fabric provides strength and dimensional stability while the coating can protect the substrate fabric against external environment damage. Now flexible composites have been widely used in fields of body protection, flexible tube and transport pipelines et al.This paper describes an analytical model for predicting trapezoid tearing strength of a flexible woven composite. In the experimental approach, the load-displacement curve was obtained together with the deformation morphology. Based on the tearing damage behavior and mechanical property of the flexible composite sample, an analytical model was established with introduction of a simplified geometrical model of the flexible composite, involving the proportion of the strength sustained by the fiber bundles (warp yarns and weft yarns) and coatings respectively. The effect of weaving angle among bundles was also evaluated. The predicted load-displacement response was compared with that in experimental. The energy absorption distribution of matrix and fiber yarns in flexible composite was obtained. The damage mechanism and the failure criteria of the flexible composite were revealed in details.The above analytical strategy could provide an essential reference for the design and optimization of flexible composite in terms of tearing resistance. It can also efficiently predict the tearing properties of other kinds of complex flexible pipelines.