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Nonlinear Multi-Scale Modelling, Simulation and Validation of 3D Knitted Textiles

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Abstract

Three-dimensionally (3D) knitted technical textiles are spreading into industrial applications, since their geometric, structural and functional performance can be tailored and optimized on fibre-, yarn- and fabric levels by customizing yarn materials, knit patterns and geometric shapes. The ability to simulate their complex mechanical behaviour is thus an essential ingredient in the development of a digital workflow for optimal design and manufacture of 3D knitted textiles. Here, we present a multi-scale modelling and simulation framework for the prediction of the nonlinear orthotropic mechanical behaviour of single jersey knitted textiles and its experimental validation. On the meso-scale, representative volume elements (RVEs) of the fabric are modelled as single, interlocked yarn loops and their mechanical deformation behaviour is homogenized using periodic boundary conditions. Yarns are modelled as nonlinear 3D beam elements and numerically discretized using an isogeometric collocation method, where a frictional contact formulation is used to model inter-yarn interactions. On the macro-scale, fabrics are modelled as membrane elements with nonlinear orthotropic material behaviour, which is parameterized by a response surface constitutive model obtained from the meso-scale homogenization. The input parameters of the yarn-level simulation, i.e., mechanical properties of yarns and geometric dimensions of yarn loops in the fabrics, are determined experimentally and subsequent meso- and macro-scale simulation results are evaluated against reference results and mechanical tests of knitted fabric samples. Good agreement between computational predictions and experimental results is achieved for samples with varying stitch values, thus validating our novel computational approach combining efficient meso-scale simulation using 3D beam modelling of yarns with numerical homogenization and nonlinear orthotropic response surface constitutive modelling on the macro-scale.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge funding through the SUTD Digital Manufacturing and Design (DManD) Centre, supported by the Singapore National Research Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. SUTD Digital Manufacturing and Design Centre, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, Singapore, 487372, Singapore

    Oliver Weeger, Amir Hosein Sakhaei, Ying Yi Tan, Yu Han Quek, Tat Lin Lee, Sai-Kit Yeung, Sawako Kaijima & Martin L. Dunn

  2. College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Harrison Building, North Park Road, Exeter, EX4 4QF, UK

    Amir Hosein Sakhaei

  3. Graduate School of Design, Harvard University, 48 Quincy St, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA

    Sawako Kaijima

  4. College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Colorado Denver, P.O. Box 173364, Campus Box 104, Denver, CO, 80217-3364, USA

    Martin L. Dunn

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  1. Oliver Weeger
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  2. Amir Hosein Sakhaei
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  7. Sawako Kaijima
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  8. Martin L. Dunn
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Correspondence to Oliver Weeger.

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Weeger, O., Sakhaei, A.H., Tan, Y.Y. et al. Nonlinear Multi-Scale Modelling, Simulation and Validation of 3D Knitted Textiles. Appl Compos Mater 25, 797–810 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-018-9702-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-018-9702-4

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