Experimental investigation of the mechanical properties of neoprene coated nylon woven reinforced composites

In this study, the mechanical behaviour of neoprene coated nylon woven fabric composites was assessed using biaxial loading based on hydraulic bulge test method and uniaxial tensile method at varied environmental testing conditions. Results indicating failure modes, ultimate strengths and strains from the uniaxial testing of the composites were compared and recommendations for application of the composite material in structural design are reported. A through thickness approximate homogeneous modulus from the weft and warp uniaxial tests results of the membrane for a simple linear elastic anisotropic material model was used in ABAQUS finite element software to simulate the bulge test experiments. Results from the numerical analysis were found to replicate the bulge experiments to a first approximation. This approach offers useful application for the FE modelling and design of offshore inflatable structures made of coated woven fabrics which are typified by large size and complex geometries, as it reduces computational cost and potentially eliminates the need for a complex material description involving detailed theoretical derivations and advanced programming to implement.