An embedded-tow model for crush simulation of textile composite tube

An embedded-tow model was developed to simulate the response of a circular triaxially-braided textile composite crush tube. The embedded-tow model was conceived from preliminary simulations of crush tube response using its parent model, the simplified discrete-tow model. Unlike the discrete-tow model, which represents the fiber tows and resin as beam and shell finite elements respectively, the embedded-tow model incorporates the fiber tows and resin into shell finite elements. Progressive failure of individual tow and resin is accounted for separately. The composite micro-constituent contribution to the overall composite macro-mechanical properties is represented using the micro-mechanical approach similar to the one adopted in the discrete-tow model. With a FORTRAN algorithm to model the composite non-linear material properties and the use of ABAQUS/EXPLICIT software code for simulation in the present study, the embedded-tow model proves its ability to predict the crush tube behavior under compression with adequate computational efficiency. The potential of the model to predict general triaxially-braided composite structure response is yet to be studied.