Structurally stitched woven preforms: experimental characterisation, geometrical modelling, and FE analysis

In this study, experimental data, geometrical models, and finite element analysis are presented for typical structurally stitched multilayer preform composed of quasi-unidirectional carbon fibre woven fabric. The term 'structural' presumes here that the stitching yarn does not only consolidate the plies (as the non-structural one does) but forms also a through the thickness reinforcement. One stitching technique, tufting, is studied, with 67 tex carbon yarn. The models account for general features of the local preform geometry and are believed to allow for a sufficient modelling on the mesoscale (textile unit cell) level. Experimental and theoretical results are presented, compared and discussed; a 'road' map is proposed for the modelling of structurally stitched preforms.