Author(s)

T.A. Godfrey & J.N. Rossettos

Abstract

Analysis of damage tolerance to tear propagation in stressed structural fabrics T.A. Godfrey & J.N. Rossettos ^Dept.of Mechanical Ind. & Manuf Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston MA 02775, USA Abstract A simple micromechanical model is used to study the onset of tear propagation at slit-like damage sites (i.e., a series of consecutive aligned yarn breaks) in biaxially stressed plain weave fabrics under increasing load. The method of treating the frictional slip of yarns near the damage site is critical to the success of the model. Although the actual configuration of slipping regions and rotation of yarns is complex, the onset of tear propagation in large slits (i.e., more than say 35 breaks) is dominated by slip occurring on the first few intact yarns adjacent to the breaks. Analytical results, relating the stress concentration in the intact yarn adjacent to the yarn break at the slit tip, versus the critical applied load at the onset of tear propagat

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