Failure Behavior of Plain Weave Fabric Laminates Under In-Plane Shear Loading

Abstract

A two-dimensional (2-D) woven fabric composite strength model is presented for the prediction of in-plane shear strength of 2-D orthogonal plain weave fabric laminates under inplane shear loading. The shear strength studies were carried out for three idealized laminate configurations. The possible shift of layers with respect to each other along x-, y-, and z-directions were considered for the laminates. The shear moduli were predicted for the three idealized laminate configurations using the 2-D woven fabric composite stiffness model. A comprehensive experimental program was carried out on different material systems using 10° and ±45° off-axis tension tests and the Iosipescu test. A good correlation is observed between the predicted and the experimental results.