A Parameter for Comparing the Damage Tolerance of Stressed Plain Weave Fabrics

Abstract

A micromechanics-based mathematical model for a slit-damaged (i.e., a series of consecutive yam breaks), biaxially stressed, plain weave fabric is used to define and motivate a candidate screening parameter pu, which can provide a measure of damage tolerance for a class of such fabrics. Preliminary results are presented from damage growth tests on a variety of fabrics with initial slit damage consisting of the same number of breaks that corroborate the model and demonstrate the viability of the parameter. The contents of the parameter, which include microstructural properties of the fabric ( e.g. , yarn stiffness, yam strength, crossover point slip frictional forces, warp and fill direction crossover point spacings), are shown to suggest how the parameter can be useful in selecting or developing fabrics where improved damage tolerance is desired.