Comparison between analytical and numerical predictions for the linearly viscoelastic behavior of textile composites

Analytical homogenization techniques are developed to predict the viscoelastic behavior of textile composites. The approach consists of extending the framework of elastic homogenization of textile composites to viscoelastic composites with the help of the correspondence principle based on Laplace–Carson transforms. Finite Element simulations of three-dimensional models of woven and braided fabrics are performed to obtain the ‘exact’ viscoelastic behavior. Analytical predictions are compared against the exact behavior predicted by Finite Element simulations. The results show that the analytical model based on the Self-Consistent scheme fails to deliver accurate predictions. It is also found that the method based on the Mori–Tanaka model predicts relatively well viscoelastic properties.

► An analytical framework for predicting the viscoelastic behavior of textile composites.
► A numerical model for predicting the viscoelastic behavior of textile composites.
► Analytical and numerical models applied to braided and woven architectures.
► An evaluation of the analytical framework accuracy.