Flexural stability analysis of composite panels reinforced with stiffener integral woven preforms

Abstract

3D weaving exhibits to be a guaranteeing innovation in delivering integrated near net shaped structures that might overcome the current issue of delamination and assembly cost. This paper highlights one such technique of producing preforms with integrally woven stiffener sections that can be used as a reinforcement material for composite panels. The woven performs were fabricated using high performance polyester yarns as a raw material and further consolidated to composite structures using epoxy resin. The flexural analysis of the composite panels developed from these performs revealed that the structures have better bending rigidity and structural integrity without any possibility of delamination prone failures. Investigations on fracture morphology were conducted to understand the composite failure mechanism and the structural deformation of the structures during loading. From the findings, it was evident that the polyester-epoxy material combination exhibited substantial residual strength and toughness properties.

Keywords:

• Stiffeners
• 3D weaving
• composites
• flexural rigidity
• lightweight structures