Representation of 3D Woven Structures by Parametric Method

A parametric method is developed to quantitatively represent the microstructure of 3D woven structures. Different binding patterns, such as angle interlock and orthogonal interlock with through-thickness or layer-to-layer bindings, are classified. A unit cell of 3D woven structure is defined with four constituent yarn systems represented by nine structural parameters. A mapping relationship between the 3D woven structure and corresponding representative parameters is thus established. The study indicates that four out of the nine parameters are necessary to represent a 3D woven structure with an angle interlock binding, and that five parameters are required to describe a 3D woven structure with an orthogonal interlock binding. Once the structural parameters are determined, the pattern of 3D woven structures can be unambiguously identified, and vice versa. In addition to the purpose of structure presentation, the method can be further used as a means for designing 3D woven structure to meet the performance requirements of 3D woven composites.