Material characterisation and calibration of a meso-mechanical damage model for braid reinforced composites

Cost effective braid reinforced composites are a potential substitute for metals in many automotive structural applications where good mechanical performance combined with high energy absorption are of special interest. This paper presents experimental work undertaken to characterise braided composites and a meso-mechanical damage model suitable for the impact and crash analysis of braided composites. The model presented correctly represents stiffness, initial failure and the post failure damage response, which is of particular importance for crash applications. Furthermore, work is presented that describes testing procedures, which should be followed in order to obtain the correct material parameters for analysis. Finally, validation of the testing procedures and the constitutive model is made against a structural braid reinforced composite beam loaded to failure under four point bending.