Stiffness and Strength Prediction for Plain Weave Textile Reinforced Composites

A model is presented to predict the mechanical hygro-thermo-elastic properties and strength values of composite materials reinforced with plain woven fabric. The laminate properties are calculated from basic constituents properties (fiber and matrix). A three-dimensional geometrical description of the reinforcing architecture is used. The local strain, stress, and constitutive property fields are evaluated under in-plane loading. Multiple modes of failure are monitored and stress redistribution due to progressive failure is evaluated using a novel approach. The model results are compared with experimental data.