Finite element modeling of plain weave composites

Finite element models always include certain simplifications of the problem to be analyzed. Already Chapman and Whitcomb studied the influence of some simplifications on the elastic properties of a woven composite. This paper evaluates the influence of further assumptions on the predicted longitudinal Young's modulus and on the peak stresses. In particular, such assumptions are the refinement of the mesh, the size of pure matrix regions, the longitudinal shape function of the yam, the constraints, and a linear versus a nonlinear analysis. Also a new approximation for the shape of the yam's cross section is introduced and compared to the existing yam architecture.