Numerical Simulation and Experimental Test Campaign of Composite Braided Frames under a Combined Compression/Bending Load

Kurzfassung

This paper discusses manufacturing process, experimental testing and numerical simulation of braided Ω-frame segments bonded to a multiaxial fabric skin which represent the typical airframe structure. The Ω-frame preforms were manufactured using the circular braiding process and impregnated with resin by Vacuum Asissted Process (VAP) technique. The experimental testing was conducted quasistatically on a test setup which introduces simultaneous compression and bending loads in the specimen segment. The experimental results of the test campaing were used to develop numerical methods for the design of braided structures. The simulations were performed using explicit FE code LS-DYNA.