FAILURE BEHAVIOR OF PLAIN WEAVE FABRIC LAMINATES UNDER ON-AXIS UNIAXIAL TENSILE LOADING .1. LAMINATE GEOMETRY

Mathematical expressions are presented for defining the geometry of th e two-dimensional orthogonal plain weave fabric laminates. The geometr y was defined with the view of developing the analytical models for th e prediction of the thermo-mechanical behavior. The actual strand cros s-sectional geometry, possible gap between adjacent strands, strand un dulation and continuity along both the warp and fill directions are co nsidered in the mathematical expressions. Simulated geometry was compa red with the actual photomicrographs of the laminate cross sections. A good match was observed.