Mechanics of plain woven fabrics

Micromechanics of plain woven fabrics plays a pivotal role in predicting the response of multilayered woven components. A realistic modeling of the weave geometry which replicates the yarn path and yarn cross-sections observed in photomicrographs of woven composites is carried out. Three dimensional finite elements are used to create a detailed model of the complicated woven fabric geometry. The fabric is subjected to inplane loading conditions viz. tension, compression and inplane shear. A detailed examination of the internal stresses and strains is performed by means of three dimensional finite element analysis. The dominant stresses/strains causing inter- and intra-yarn damage and possible failure modes are thus identified. A simplified plate model for plain weaves using hierarchic, curved, shear deformable plate elements is also developed. The plate model is shown to be able to predict the important features of plain woven fabric response adequately while retaining modeling simplicity and computational efficiency. The effects of geometric and material non-linearity on the behavior of plain woven fabrics is studied. Predictions of the strength of plain woven fabrics using the plate model and 3D FE model are compared with currently available experimental/analytical results.