Author(s)

Z. J. Wu & D. Brown

Abstract

A modelling approach for the prediction of the influence of various parameters on the elastic moduli of 3-D orthogonally woven composites has been formulated. The parameters involved are classified into different groups according to their properties. Some, by their nature, can be well controlled during the design and manufacture of the composite. The composite is assumed to be homogeneous and orthotropic macroscopically. With a selected representative unit cell (RUC) and the stiffness model developed in [l], the influence of all of these parameters can be characterised. Results showing the influence of the main geometric parameters are presented. They demonstrate that an optimal design is possible for the through-the-thickness stiffness of the composites. The methodology used can be generalised to predict the behaviour of other kinds of 3-D woven structures.

Keywords