Shear test method of architectural coated-fabrics subjected to biaxial tensile loading

Abstract

A new test method is proposed for investigation of shear behavior of architectural coated-fabrics. The cruciform specimen with 16cm width and length of arms with four slits is used herein, which has 45°of yarns with respect to the loading directions. The loading protocol is defined to generate cycling homogenous shear stress field, which has half positive and half negative cycle rather consecutive positive or negative shear stress conditions. The cycle number is three. Two strain measurements and shear calculation methodologies are compared with theoretic analysis and testing procedure. The polymer-coated polyester fabric with PVDF surface finish is used for test validation, the experimental results are investigated comprehensively, and the effects of shear deformation on shear stress calculation are evaluated. The present work is proved valuable to further research of shear behavior of coated fabrics.