The usage of laminated composite materials in critical applications requiring high specific stiffness, high specific strength, and high impact resistance is commonly hindered by the phenomenon of delamination. Once delamination sets in, for example, due to impact loading, the structural integrity of the composites is at risk of degrading unless delamination is controlled. This study explores the viability of interlaminar integration, so-called quasi-three-dimensional (Q3D) weave, as a potential solution to delamination. Compressive stiffness and strength and impact-induced damage and energy absorption processes for three Q3D configurations were experimentally studied and compared with those of laminated and two-dimensional woven composites. It was found that rear-layer fiber straining and weaving mechanisms had significant effects on composite’s energy absorption and damage processes. A five-harness quasi-three-dimensional (Q3DO5) composite was found to have lower impact-induced damage, higher specific energy absorption, lower impact-induced structural degradation, and competitive in-plane properties than the laminated counterpart.
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