Effect of fiber architecture on tensile fracture of 3D woven textile composites

Abstract 3D woven composites offer higher damage tolerance and resistance to delamination. Understanding how the architecture influences the tensile failure of the composite is imperative to ensure proper use. In this work the tensile response of two different woven architectures is investigated to determine how failure initiates in the composite in each case. Z-fiber reinforced materials were compared against layer-to-layer architectures. Details of the failure were examined both through digital image correlation and also through post inspection analysis using a dye penetrant. The results show that there is an architecture dependent strain field and these localizations lead to the onset of failure in these materials.