MECHANICS OF A HYBRID CIRCULAR BRAID WITH AN ELASTIC CORE

A mathematical model based on four modes of operation is developed to predict the tensile response of a hybrid circular braid encompassing a n elastic core. Model inputs include parameters characterizing the ini tial geometric configuration and material properties of the hybrid. Ou tput parameters are forces, strains, modes of operation, and hybrid ge ometry. The results show that a hybrid braid can display a unique syne rgism when the braid is in contact with the core but not yet locked, s ince its tensile response exceeds the sum of its components acting alo ne. While this analysis idealizes braid geometry and excludes explicit treatment of yarn crimp, it incorporates primary influences including nonlinear yarn tensile response, large deformations, yarn failure, an d varying hybrid deformation modes.