Modeling of 3D angle interlock woven fabric composites

A three dimensional micromechanical modeling approach was previously developed for predicting elastic constants of 2D woven fabric composites [Sheng, S.Z. and Hoa, S.V. (2001). Three dimensional micromechanical modeling of woven fabric composites. Journal of Composite Materials, 35(19): 1701-1729.]. In this paper, the approach is extended for predicting elastic constants of 3D angle interlock woven fabric composites. The micro fabric geometry of general 3D woven composites is described by using a three dimensional geometric model first. Then a variational potential method is proposed to obtain the continuous integration transformation of the three-dimensional stiffness and compliance matrices associated with the micro fabric geometry for 3D woven fabric composites. Finally, elastic constants are obtained by using the method based on the fabric geometry for several 3D angle interlock woven fabric composites. Good agreement is shown between the present predicted results and experimental results available in the literature.