Evaluation of elastic properties of 3-D (4-step) regular braided composites by a homogenisation method

In this article a homogenisation method that considers the internal interfa ce condition of a heterogeneous medium is established. The relevant formula e are developed based on a specific stratified medium with plane interfaces , but they can be obtained for more general cases in which curved interface s are considered. A 3-D 4-step regular braid is studied, and its elastic pr operties are evaluated in terms of the homogenisation scheme, The present t heoretical prediction shows a good agreement with experimental data. (C) 20 00 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.