The application of the plate twist test method to 3D-woven textile composites was investigated using both numerical analyses of the test set-up as well as experimental results. Comparisons with the widely used V-notched beam shear and 10°-off-axis tension tests are introduced in an attempt to identify the true in-plane shear response. The results of this study demonstrate that with careful specimen preparation and an adequate test fixture precise in-plane shear modulus data can be obtained. Moreover, for 3D-woven textile composites with their large unit cells the plate twist test appears to be superior in revealing the “true” in-plane shear behaviour.
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