Drape-ability characterization of textile composite reinforcements using digital image correlation

The digital image correlation technique is used to assess macro-scale textile deformations during biaxial tensile and shear tests in order to verify the loading homogeneity and the correspondence between the textile and rig deformation. Picture frame shear tests on glass weaves, glass-PP weaves and carbon non-crimp fabrics are presented. A glass-PP weave (RR2) is tested in biaxial tension and in shear at three different tensile preloads to verify whether shear resistance depends on the applied membrane tension. The influence of the shear test configuration on the textile deformation and shear resistance is demonstrated and discussed. It is concluded that optical measurements are mandatory for reliable assessment of the textile deformation. A significant rise in shear resistance with increasing tension is measured, but due to the non-uniform shear distribution the measured shear force may be affected by the (variations in) yarn tensile load during the shear deformation. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.