Particle-Based Modelling of In-Plane Shear in Textiles

Abstract

This paper investigates the prediction of the constitutive behavior of textiles subjected to in-plane shear loading, using a particle-based modelling method. Plain weave textiles where the fibers are represented as a series of conjoined particles were modelled using discrete mechanics, as an alternative to traditional continuum mechanics. The configurations of individual fibers were obtained from first principles, using a modified Metropolis algorithm to minimize the strain energy terms. A series of simulations replicating articulated frame in-plane shear tests were performed in order to characterize the in-plane shear behavior of woven textiles. The paper discusses the effects of varying boundary conditions at fiber ends upon the application of a displacement field, and of varying iteration parameters for particle positions towards lower levels of strain energy. Load-displacement curves were derived from the simulations; displacement fields, locking angles and shear stresses were also quantified. The results of simulations and experiments performed on woven textiles subjected to in-plane shear showed good agreement, and improvements in accuracy over other modelling techniques.