Mesoscopic approaches for composite reinforcement mechanical behavior

Abstract The analysis of woven fabric used as a reinforcement for composite materials can be carried out at different scales. The mesoscopic scale considers each yarn in contact with its neighbors. Analyses on this scale allow numerical estimates of permeability and mechanical behavior based on the analysis of an elementary cell. Certain phenomena such as the gap between the yarns or the local buckling of the yarns can only be analyzed on this mesoscopic scale. In this chapter the mechanical behaviors at the mesoscopic scale, i.e., those of the yarn composed of fibers are presented, both from an experimental point of view and from specific models that have been developed. The development of consistent geometrical models of yarns of a woven fabric is presented. This approach ensures nonpenetration between the yarns of a fabric.