Use of Digital Image Correlation to Analyse the Shearing Deformation in Woven Fabric

The mechanical behaviour of a woven structure remains poorly understood because of the material’s anisotropic behaviour. This leads to the challenging task of performing a reliable and repeatable investigation for the characterisation of the material properties. Shear properties of the woven fabric are assessed by bias extension and picture frame tests. The aim of the present work is to analyse the shear deformation in plain cotton fabric during bias extension and picture frame tests using digital image correlation. The latter allows direct and local measurement that does not require a numerical or analytical model. Using this optical method, the homogeneity of deformation is studied and the experimental strain is compared to that predicted by theory.