A yarn-to-fabric multiscale modeling strategy for auxetic behavior analysis of negative Poisson’s yarn-based fabric

[Display omitted] •A novel multiscale modeling method was developed for the auxetic behavior of negative Poisson’s ratio woven fabric (NPRWF).•The finite element model of NPRWF was innovatively constructed based on the simulated constitutive curve of negative Poisson's ratio yarn (NPRY).•The effectiveness of the theoretical model and the finite element model of NPRWF were verified with good agreement. Auxetic behavior is critical to determining the deformation and mechanical performance of materials. Auxetic mechanisms of the woven fabric have previously not been well understood, especially for those containing negative Poisson’s ratio yarn (NPRY). Most theoretical models were developed from the macro geometric structure which lacks analysis of yarn levels. This paper aims to use numeral analysis combined with finite element modeling to investigate the auxetic behavior of the NPRY-based fabric. Firstly, the theoretical model that reveals the relationship between the auxetic behaviors of yarn and NPRY-based fabric was established based on component yarn interweaving rules, deformation, and stress. Following, a strain-dominated deformation simulation was further performed to clarify the micro stress and auxetic mechanism of fabric by calculating the stress–strain response and NPR value. Moreover, the experiments of NPRY-based fabric were also developed to validate the theoretical and simulation results, Results indicate that the model can well predict the auxetic behavior of fabric with an error under 7%. The micro–macro analysis of the auxetic behavior from yarn to fabric provides a fundamental understanding of the auxetic mechanism of NPRY-based fabric. Additionally, the yarn-to-fabric model can used to study the auxetic behavior of NPR fabric with variable parameters thus supplying theoretical guidance for engineering.