Computationally Efficient Micromechanical Models for Woven Fabric Composite Elastic Moduli

Abstract

This paper presents two newly developed micromechanical models for the analysis of plain weave fabric composites. Both models utilize the representative volume cell approach. The representative unit volume of the woven lamina is divided into subcells of homogeneous material. Starting with the average strains in the representative volume cell and based on continuity requirements at the subcell interfaces, the strains and stresses in the composite fiber yarns and matrix are determined as well as the average stresses in the lamina. Equivalent homogenized material properties are also determined. In their formulation the developed micromechanical models take into consideration all components of the three-dimensional strain and stress tensors. The performance of both models is assessed through comparison with available results from other numerical, analytical, and experimental approaches for composite laminae homogenization. The very good accuracy together with the simplicity of formulation makes these models attractive for the finite element analysis of composite laminates.Here a single superscript f is used to denote that the corresponding quantity refers to the fill yarn, and w refers to the warp yarn. Fig. 2 Geometry of the quarter cell for the four-cell model

Developments in Failure and Damage Modeling for UD, 2D, and 3D Composite Materials

“…[7] When using this approach closedform solutions are derived from micromechanics for homogenization of the properties of the RVE's constituents. The RVE's constituents in this approach are the UD composite bundles and the pure matrix, see Figure 2.…”

Stress–strain and fracture behaviour of 0°/90° and plain weave ceramic matrix composites from tow multi-axial properties

“…Tanov and Tabiei (2001) predicted the equivalent material properties of plain weave fabric composites by homogenising an entire unit cell model. Cox et al (1994) introduced a binary model, which is composed of two virtual components: a 1-D truss element and a 3-D solid element.…”

Modification of a Macromechanical Finite Element–Based Model for Impact Analysis of Triaxially Braided Composites

“…More sophisticated analysis methods, such as those developed by Tanov and Tabiei (Ref. 5) and Bednarcyk and Arnold (Ref. 6), used an approach where a representative unit cell of a woven composite was created, and then micromechanics-based approaches were applied to compute the effective properties and response of the material.…”