Fracture Failure Analysis of Central Tearing Behavior and a Novel Tearing Strength Model for Flexible Composites

ABSTRACT Flexible textile composite materials, known for their excellent mechanical properties, are widely used in aerospace applications, such as stratospheric airships. However, accurately predicting their tearing strength remains challenging owing to their complex structural features and nonlinear mechanical behavior. This study investigates the central tearing behavior of flexible composites through experimental and theoretical analyses. First, central tearing experiments with different initial crack sizes were conducted to examine their influence on damage evolution and residual tearing strength of flexible composites. Then, based on fracture mechanics theory and the structural characteristics of composites, a new nonlinear fracture strength prediction model was developed using a four‐parameter exponential function. The model effectively characterized the tearing behavior of flexible composites, achieving effective prediction of fracture strength. Finally, experimental results confirmed that the proposed failure model aligned more closely with experimental data than traditional theoretical models, validating its effectiveness and reliability. These findings provide theoretical support for optimizing the design and safety assessment of flexible composite structures.