A Study on the Mechanical Behavior of Biomimetic Fiber-Reinforced Composites under Pressure Loads

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effect of fiber alignment in helicoidal structure on the mechanical properties of biomimetic fiber-reinforced composites. Using finite element analysis, circular biomimetic fiber composites were designed and studied. Various amounts of pressure loads were applied to a surface of the composites, and then bending and failure behaviors of the composites were analyzed. The results showed various failure morphologies according to the orientation of the fibers, and it turned out that the fiber alignment in helicoidal structure significantly improved the bending strength of the composite under pressure loading. This was because the fiber alignment in various directions for each layer dispersed effectively the fracture energy from the external load into multiple directions.