Shear deformation and micromechanics of woven fabrics

This paper includes an experimental study and a mathematical analysis of th e shear deformation of woven fabrics by using picture-frame type shear rest ing. Four types of weaves were tested and compared: a loose plain weave, a tight plain weave, a twill and a satin weave. The locking shear angle was d etermined both in picture-frame tests and manual shear tests. The experimen tal data presented for each fabric include curves of shear load-shear stres s as a function of either the shear angle or the shear rate, and measured l ocking shear angles. The shear deformation data were analysed by following elasticity principles and taking into account the effects of fibre inextens ibility. A microstructural analysis was carried out in all four fabrics to investigate the shear locking on the basis of a geometrical approach and th e maximum packing fibre fraction. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.