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Free-Edge Effect On The Effective Stiffness Of Single-Layer Triaxially Braided Composite, Chao Zhang, Wieslaw Binienda, Robert Goldberg

Wieslaw K. Binienda

Free-edge effect is known to play an important role in the failure of triaxially braided composites, especially under transverse tension loading conditions. However, there is little understanding available regarding the free-edge effect on the elastic property of the material. The emphasis of the present study is to examine the impact of the free-edge effect on the effective elastic response of a single-layer triaxially braided composite. Transverse tension straight-sided coupon specimens with various widths are tested and analyzed. The experimental results demonstrate an obvious increase in the tangent modulus and failure strength as the specimen width increases. The surface out-of-plane displacement …