Abstract:

The carbon nanotube embedded in the three-dimensional braided composite material were used as stretch sensors to construct intelligent composites. The damage of three-dimensional braided composite material was studied by using principal component analysis(PCA), and statistical methods of T2 and Q. The method of PCA was used to process the damage information of intelligent 3-D braided composites parts. The specimen without damage was used as a reference value to establish PCA model. The steps of three-dimensional braided composites damage evaluation was proposed. It shows that deviation of damage index (T2 and Q) and the reference value can describe and express the structural damage degree of the specimens. The damage index of damaged sample is far greater than the reference value of sample without damage. Damage index value T2 reflects the large damage of specimens well. Damaged index value Q reflects the damage detail of sample. The results of the method consistent with the actual damage.

Key words: three-dimensional braided composite, intelligent composite, principal component analysis, carbon nanowire, sensor, damage index