Study of the Anisotropic Nature of the Rupture Properties of a Plain Woven Fabric

The ability of a textile fabric to support load at an angle to the two principal directions is important in structures used in load bearing technical applications. Using a simple approach, the angular rupture properties of a plain woven fabric were modeled. The primary restriction imposed was that the fabric width was restrained so that lateral contraction could not occur. This eliminated the possibility of the cut ends of the yarns playing a role and complicating the theoretical treatment. The input parameters were the yarn tensile properties, the fabric warp and weft counts, and the angle to the principal axis at which the properties were determined. A novel test method was developed that conformed to the restriction imposed in the theory and allowed the computed and the measured properties to be compared. Good agreement obtained validates the model and illustrates a new approach to investigating fabric mechanical properties.