The correlation framework: Bridging the gap between modeling and analysis for 3D woven composites

A large variety of different descriptors can be employed for describing 3D woven composites. Each of them is targeted to a specific application, ranging from design, weaving, molding, impregnation down to non-destructive testing, imaging and numerical modeling of the actual micro-structure. In order to relate these different representations, it is proposed herewith to rely on the inherent weaving pattern as an intrinsic common feature, and to resort to images as a common language to guaranty the continuity of information. To connect these 3D images (either “real” or synthesized), Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) is called for in order to exploit the conservation of topology. A complete test scenario is devised in which different manufactured woven samples are compared to the theoretical textile arrangement. The results confirm the effectiveness of the method.