Mechanical behaviour of 3D monofilament knitted fabrics: Modeling, simulation and validation

Three-dimensionally (3D) knitted technology textiles are expanding into industrial and technical applications of textile composites given their geometric, structural, and functional performance. However, there are many challenges in developing computational tools that allow for physics-based predictions while keeping the related computing cost low. The strong interactions between geometrical and physical elements permit determining the behavior of this type of engineering material. In the aim of understanding the specific mechanical behaviors of knitted textiles, a yarn-level simulation model framework was created to predict the nonlinear orthotropic mechanical behavior of monofilament jersey-knitted textiles. The relative contributions of many computational parameters on the global mechanical behavior of knitted fabrics are investigated, specifically, inter-yarn interactions and the boundary conditions effect. The models are saved in a format that can be read directly by Finite Element Analysis FEA software. Yarns are numerically discretized as nonlinear 3D beam components, while input parameters, such as mechanical characteristics of yarns and geometric dimensions of loops in fabrics are established experimentally. Good agreement was relieved by comparing experimental data to simulation results in a wale-wise direction tensile load.