To investigate the damage tolerance of a flexible tsunami barrier, the intralaminar fracture toughness of a plain weave cloth, consisting of Dyneema© fibers and a plastomer resin, has been investigated.
Fracture toughness tests have been performed on center cracked tensile specimens, with varying sizes and initial crack ratios, under quasi static loading. The tests showed nonlinear behavior at the crack tip, leading to crack-blunting, fibers shifting and matrix release. This is due to the low adhesion of the matrix with the fibers and the flexible nature of the cloth. General failure mode proved to be strength-dominant and therefore no critical stress intensity factor could be determined.
To predict the failure and of the cloth, a numerical simulation based on the peridynamic framework is proposed. The model includes the anisotropic elasticity of the cloth but not the nonlinear effects like fiber shifting. Therefore the strength of the cloth is eventually underestimated.

Taniq develops technology for manufacturers of cord-reinforced rubber products t o improve their product performance and production process through product redesign and supply of software and production equipment. Taniq's technology is used for products ranging from straight large-bore hoses (0600 [mm]) to small bellowed expansion joints (0 < 100 [mm]). The current structural analysis used at Taniq is only able to predict fibre stresses of single-layered products in basic load cases. As many products require local reinforcements and/or multiple fibre layers this basic structural analysis is not proficient. Therefore these products are currently designed by trial-and-error. It is of importance to gain insights in the complete stress state throughout the product in any load case to facilitate a more efficient design process. This stress state can be used for static and dynamic strength predictions, and f o r the development of design guidelines for future products.