Three-dimensional exact modeling of geometric and mechanical properties of woven composites

A formulation for the prediction of the in uence of various parameters on the elastic moduli of three-dimensional (3D) orthogonally woven composites has been given. These parameters can be classified into different groups according to their properties, such as input design and material parameters, structural parameters etc. 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 and the stiffness model developed by author in 2000, the in uence of all of these parameters can be determined. Results showing the in uence of the main design 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 generalized to predict the behavior of other kinds of 3D woven structures. © 2009 The Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.