Predicting the tensile and compressive failure behavior of angle-ply spread tow woven composites

A meso-scale finite element model is developed to study the progressive failure behavior of angle-ply spread tow woven composites under tensile and compressive loading conditions. The size of representative volume element (RVE) for angle-ply woven composites is determined by comparing the model predictions against tensile and compressive experimental results to identify the RVE size that significantly affects the prediction of deformation and failure modes, due to inconsistencies in the periodic geometric features of the 0/90° layer and the ±45° layer. The validated model is shown to be capable of predicting the effective stiffness, strength and main failure behavior of the woven composite under tension and compression loading. The tensile and compressive failure behavior of spread tow woven composites are systemically investigated based on the numerically predicted stress distribution and damage contours. It was found that the presence of 45° angle-ply could enhance the crack propagation resistance of the woven composite. This study provides a detailed understanding of the failure mechanism and modeling strategy for spread tow woven composites.