A parametric investigation into the flexural properties of singly curved composites reinforced with 3D-integrated woven fabrics

Abstract

In this study, the effect of curvature on the flexural behavior of 3D integrated woven fabric composites was initially investigated. After optimizing the effect of curvature, two strengthening methods (thickening upper skin and foam-filling) were applied on curved 3D integrated woven fabric composites separately and simultaneously. Normalized-weight flexural properties were used as an efficiency index to analyze and compare the efficiency of both methods. Results showed that as curvature increases from 0 to 0.007 and 0.014 cm−1, peak load increases about 29.8 and 36.7%, respectively. In addition, as upper skin thickness increases, most of flexural properties increase and then decrease. Moreover, flexural properties improved by injecting polyurethane foam into the empty core. Furthermore, applying both methods on curved 3D integrated woven fabric composite sample made an outstanding improvement in flexural properties. That is, the flexural peak load, stiffness, and total energy absorption increased 244.4, 142.7, and 496.4%, respectively, in comparison to the unreinforced 3D integrated woven fabric composite sample. Based on the normalized results, it could be concluded that applying thickening upper skin and foam-filling the core methods separately have no considerable improvement in specific flexural properties; however, applying both methods simultaneously improved specific peak load and specific total energy absorption 35.3 and 134.1%, respectively.

Review on the design and application of concrete canvas reinforced with spacer fabric

“…Additionally, mechanical properties of woven spacer fabric can be affected by factors like core thickness, thickness of skins, pile density, pile structure, and load direction. 32…”

A review on critical aspects of thermal shocks and thermal cycles in fiber reinforced polymer composites

“…Various structures from fibers to complicated structures have been designed to provide the desired properties and to reduce the overall cost of composite without compromising the final performance. 25,27 The fibers can be found in a variety of forms including short fibers, 28 continuous fibers, 29 whiskers, 30 nanofibers, 31 hollow fibers 32 or looped form fibers. 33 Interface is the region between the polymeric matrix and the discontinuous phase (fibers or fillers) and is considered to be the predominant factor that strongly affect the FRPCs performance.…”