The Effects of Damage on the Energy Absorption of Braided and Non-Crimp Fabric Composite Tubes

摘要: The effects of pre-existing damage on the mode of failure and energy absorption characteristics of Non-Crimp Fabric (NCF) and biaxially braided glass/polyester tubular (D/t= 19) sections under axial loading were considered. Damage was induced by controlled out-of-plane impact. Loading rate effects were studied by testing at quasi-static rates and at impact rates of 5m/s. A range of failure modes were exhibited. NCF tubes were seen to splay at static and impact rates–at impact rates a reduction in SEA was recorded. Braided tubes failed in a combination of buckling and splaying at static rates, but under impact all splayed–where a change in failure mode was seen, SEA was increased.For pre-damaged tubes, a similar effect to that seen previously in continuous filament random mat (CoFRM) glass/polyester tubes was observed, where a threshold size of damage was evident. Below that threshold size the failure …