Study of stress concentrations in woven composites

The present paper provides a detailed micromechanical analysis of a plain w oven composite. Geometrical and finite element modelling are carried out by accounting for the complicated architecture of the composite. Detailed mod elling allows one to study the stress distributions and concentrations insi de the composite. Plotted results clearly show the stress concentrations in the yarns and in the matrix due to the interlacing and waviness (undulatio n) of the fabric. The term stress variation factor is used to study the eff ects of various characteristics of the composite on the stress concentratio ns. The results help to identify failure initiation and facilitate the stud y of the failure mechanism of the composite.