Simulation of multi-directional crack growth in braided composite T-piece specimens using cohesive models

This paper presents an approach to the prediction of multi-directional crack growth in braided composite T-piece specimens using cohesive zone models. Failure predictions given by the cohesive model together with experimental results are presented. The effects of single and multi-directional crack model on failure prediction are investigated. Results show that both models agree with experimental data, single-crack model agrees with the maximum value of experimental data, and multi-directional crack model agrees with the mean value. The simulation of multi-directional crack growth of T-piece specimens is important in the study of their failure mechanism. Investigation reported in this paper indicates that prediction of failure loads by the multi-directional crack model is necessary in the design of some particular composite components which have similar features to the T-piece specimens.