Finite element modeling of plain weave fabrics from photomicrograph measurements

The aim of this work is to develop accurate finite element models of plain weave fabrics to determine their mechanical properties. This work also aims at developing a method for describing the internal geometry from actual measurements of tow geometry made on photomicrographs of sectioned laminates. The geometric models needed for finite element discretization of the plain weave fabrics are developed for a variety of plain-weave reinforced laminates for which experimental data is available in the literature. These include single lamina composites from three sources, as well as laminates in iso-phase and out-of-phase configurations. The procedures to determine all the elastic moduli using iso-strain, iso-stress, and classical lamination theory are presented. Comparisons with experimental data and with predictions using the periodic microstructure model are provided in order to support the validity of the proposed models.