One-dimensional micromechanical analysis of woven fabric composites

TLDR

The study investigates how fiber undulation shape affects the in‑plane compliance of woven fabric composites. They derived elastic stiffness and compliance bounds via a mosaic‑like model under constant stress/strain assumptions, performed an approximate analysis including fiber undulation and continuity, and used a modified transverse shear deformation to study one‑dimensional bending and the effect of undulation shape on compliance. Fiber undulation slightly softens in‑plane stiffness without affecting stretching/bending coupling constants, and two‑dimensional finite element analysis confirms the predicted in‑plane, coupling, and bending constants from the mosaic and transverse shear deformation theory.

Abstract

The upper and lower bounds of elastic stiffness and compliance constants of woven fabric composites are derived, based upon a mosaic-like model as well as the assumptions of constant stress and constant strain. An approximate analysis taking into account fiber undulation and continuity also is conducted. Fiber undulation leads to a slight softening of the in-plane stiffness and does not affect the stretching/bending coupling constants. A transverse shear deformation is adopted and modified to examine the one-dimensional bending response of fabric composites. The results of a two-dimensional finite element analysis are in good agreement with the predictions of the in-plane, coupling, and bending constants based upon the fiber undulation, mosaic, and transverse shear deformation theory, respectively. The effect of fiber undulation shape on the in-plane compliance also is investigated.