Failure mechanics of triaxially braided carbon composites under combined bending–compression loading

Strips of carbon 2D braided textile composites (2DTBC) were used as test specimens to investigate the failure mechanisms associated with combined bending/compression displacement control loading. Experiments were conducted by eccentrically loading the strips to determine the types of failure mechanisms. The test data were used to postulate a strength criterion for failure under combined bending/compression loading. A linear relationship between the compressive strains and the bending strains at failure was determined and this observation was captured by a hybrid finite element simulation method that combines micromechanical and macromechanical modeling.