Analytical Model for Predicting Elastic Properties of Braided Lattice Structures Based on Micromechanics of Materials

An analytical model for predicting elastic properties and strength of braided lattice structures using micromechanics of materials is developed: it involves dividing the representative volume element into several subelements in such a way that their combination can be considered as a multilayer laminate-type composite. Mechanical properties of laminates are determined without assuming iso-strain, but based on constant in-plane strain with constant out-of-plane stress. The nonlinear mechanical behavior of a balanced plain-weave composite is studied in the context of the inelastic properties of the polymer matrix. The accuracy of the model is verified by experimental studies.