Experimental analysis of off-axis mechanical behaviors of PVC coated fabrics subjected to cyclic loading

Abstract

Abstract This paper investigates the off-axis mechanical behaviors of PVC coated fabrics under cyclic loading. Based on the cyclic loading tests with different off-axis angles, stress amplitude, and loading rate, the ratcheting behaviors and the strain decomposition in the cyclic loading test were studied. The results show that the mechanical behaviors of PVC coated fabrics are anisotropic viscoelastic, which is mainly associated with the stress state of internal yarns. After the first unloading, the mechanical properties of PVC coated fabrics change most significantly and then they tend to be stable with the increasing of the cycle number. The strain of PVC coated fabrics under cyclic loading can be divided into elastic strain, recoverable viscous strain and unrecoverable plastic strain. After 25 days, the residual strain tends to be constant and the viscous strain disappears completely.