Dynamic anti-crushing behaviors of woven textile sandwich composites: multilayer and gradient effects

Low-velocity dynamic compression tests were carried out to reveal the failure mechanism and the energy absorption capacity of multilayered woven lattice sandwich panels. Dynamic compression coupled with shear deformation results in typical softening deformation after the peak stress. The load–displacement curve is characterized by a long zigzag deformation. Multilayered woven lattice sandwich panels have deformation characteristics of type II structure. Compared with the quasi-static compressed panel, the impacted woven textile sandwich has similar failure mode but excellent energy absorption induced by greater dynamic strength. Strain rate effect of the structure was explained by dynamic buckling theory. Gradient structure, placing the hardest layer as the first impacted layer and the weakest as the last, has great benefits in terms of energy absorption efficiency and should be ideal to serve as an energy-absorbing structure.