The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Geometric scaling of reinforcement and its pivotal role in design of 3D woven composites

Geometric scaling of reinforcement and its pivotal role in design of 3D woven composites
Geometric scaling of reinforcement and its pivotal role in design of 3D woven composites

Geometric scaling has been defined as means of producing equivalent 3D layer-to-layer angle interlock woven composite configurations that have different reinforcement geometries but identical, or very similar, effective elastic properties. Scaling rules have been derived under condition that the key geometric properties of the weave: the interlocking angle, global fibre volume fraction and weft to warp tow volume ratio, should not be affected by scaling. The role of tow sizes as designable parameters directly associated with scaling has been established for the first time. With scaling method in place, design of 3D woven composites can be defined as a two-stage process, where the effective elastic properties are varied via systematic variation of tow densities, while scaling is applied at a post-processing stage to ensure the practicality of design. The design process is comprehensive in a sense that it involves all the designable parameters, explicitly defining their roles and contribution.

3D woven composites, Computational characterisation, Design method, Designable parameters, Elastic properties, Geometric scaling, Layer-to-layer angle interlock
0266-3538
Sitnikova, Elena
e0c2f901-24fe-43d0-88e8-76f415675104
Li, Shuguang
f99c53b3-e42e-456f-97df-4c4e06de4a40
Sitnikova, Elena
e0c2f901-24fe-43d0-88e8-76f415675104
Li, Shuguang
f99c53b3-e42e-456f-97df-4c4e06de4a40

Sitnikova, Elena and Li, Shuguang (2026) Geometric scaling of reinforcement and its pivotal role in design of 3D woven composites. Composites Science and Technology, 276, [111517]. (doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2026.111517).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Geometric scaling has been defined as means of producing equivalent 3D layer-to-layer angle interlock woven composite configurations that have different reinforcement geometries but identical, or very similar, effective elastic properties. Scaling rules have been derived under condition that the key geometric properties of the weave: the interlocking angle, global fibre volume fraction and weft to warp tow volume ratio, should not be affected by scaling. The role of tow sizes as designable parameters directly associated with scaling has been established for the first time. With scaling method in place, design of 3D woven composites can be defined as a two-stage process, where the effective elastic properties are varied via systematic variation of tow densities, while scaling is applied at a post-processing stage to ensure the practicality of design. The design process is comprehensive in a sense that it involves all the designable parameters, explicitly defining their roles and contribution.

Text
Geometric scaling of 3D woven composites - ACCEPTED - Accepted Manuscript
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (5MB)
Text
1-s2.0-S0266353826000023-main - Version of Record
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (5MB)

More information

Accepted/In Press date: 2 January 2026
e-pub ahead of print date: 7 January 2026
Published date: 12 January 2026
Keywords: 3D woven composites, Computational characterisation, Design method, Designable parameters, Elastic properties, Geometric scaling, Layer-to-layer angle interlock

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 509633
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/509633
ISSN: 0266-3538
PURE UUID: 838980a4-d31b-46fb-95fd-617bbac1bb6e
ORCID for Elena Sitnikova: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-6869-6751

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 27 Feb 2026 17:37
Last modified: 07 Mar 2026 04:25

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: Elena Sitnikova ORCID iD
Author: Shuguang Li

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×