The uniaxial tensile properties of 4-step 3D braided E-glass/epoxy composites under quasi-static and high-strain rate loadings have been investigated to evaluate the tensile failure mode at different strain rates. The uniaxial tensile properties at high strain rates from 800/s to 2100/s were tested using the split Hopkinson tension bar (SHTB) technique. The tensile properties at quasi-static strain rate were also tested and compared with those in high strain rates. Z-transform theory is applied to 3D braided composites to characterize the system dynamic behaviors in frequency domain. The frequency responses and the stability of 3D braided composites under quasi-static and high-strain rate compression have been analyzed and discussed in the Z-transform domain. The results indicate that the stress-strain curves are rate sensitive, and tensile modulus, maximum tensile stress and corresponding tensile strain are also sensitive to the strain rate. The tensile modulus, maximum tensile stress of the 3D braided composites are linearly increased with the strain rate. With increasing of the strain rate (from 0.001/s to 2100/s), the tensile failure of the 3D braided composite specimens has a tendency of transition from ductile failure to brittle failure. The magnitude response and phase response is very different in quasi-static loading with that in high-strain rate loading. The 3D braided composite system is more stable at high strain rate than quasi-static loading.
New methodology for calculating damage variables evolution in Plastic Damage Model for RC structures
