Mechanics of three-dimensional braided structures for composite materials – part I: fabric structure and fibre volume fraction

This paper is the first part of a series on the mechanics of three-dimensional braided structures for composite materials which include fabric structure and fibre volume fraction models, prediction of mechanical properties, finite element analysis and simulation of deformations. In the present paper, the normalized pitch length is introduced as a key parameter of three-dimensional braided structures. It is demonstrated that the braiding angles and fibre volume fractions can be represented as functions of this key parameter. The structures of three-dimensional braids were simulated and the braided fabrics and preforms were designed and produced. Fibre volume fraction models were established. The predictions from the fibre volume fraction models are supported by experimental results.