A Two Dimensional Rule-of-Mixtures Micromechanics Model for Woven Fabric Composites

Abstract

A two-dimensional rule-of-mixtures micromechanics model is presented for planar woven fabric-reinforced composites subjected to in-plane biaxial normal loads. The impregnated warp/fill yarns are treated as orthotropic materials and the interyarn matrix as an isotropic material. The undulations of both warp and fill yarns in two orthogonal directions are considered, and the temperature effects are included. A set of iso-strain conditions, together with the symmetry and periodicity requirements, are employed. The resulting formulation of the present model is simple and more explicit than those of several existing analytical models. This model can deal with different weave patterns, undulation shapes and constituent materials and hence may be viewed as a generic approach. Sample calculations are provided for plain weave, 5-harness and 8-harness satin weave woven composites to demonstrate applications of the present model and to compare with other known results.