A novel analytical model for predicting the compression modulus of 2D PWF composites

This paper seeks to address a novel model for predicting the compression modulus of a 2D plain weave fabric (PWF) composite accounting for the interaction of orthogonal interlacing strands. The two orthogonal yarns in a micromechanical unit cell are idealized as curved beams with a path depicted by using sinusoidal shape functions. The modulus is derived by means of a strain energy approach founded on micromechanics. In order to validate the model, experiments have been performed to investigate the mechanical properties of two-dimensional (2D) orthogonal EW220/5284 PWF composites fabricated by resin transfer moulding (RTM). In-plane tensile, compressive and shear moduli have been measured. It is shown that the experimental results correlate well with predictions from the new model.