Experimental and numerical study of in-plane shear properties and failure process of multiaxial 3D angle-interlock woven composites

A novel multiaxial 3D angle-interlock woven composites (MAWC) was developed in this paper. Two MAWCs with different weave patterns and 3D angle-interlock woven composites (3DAWC) were manufactured to identify the particular influence of bias yarns on the in-plane shear performance and failure mechanism of the composites. Based on the variable cross-sections, a realistic meso-model of MAWC was proposed. The in-plane shear tests were carried out and the digital image correlation (DIC) was used to record the full-field strain distribution of the specimens. Furthermore, a progressive damage model and X-ray micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) were implemented to reveal the damage evolution and mechanisms of composites. Results indicated that all load–displacement curves presented nonlinear behavior, and the in-plane shear modulus and strength were significantly improved due to the bias yarns. The fiber slippage, tow splitting and interfacial debonding were the primary failure modes of bias yarns in MAWC architectures.