Mechanical simulation of the plain weft knitted fabrics

Purpose - The present work aims to focus on the simulation of tensile, shear and bending deformation of the plain-weft knitted fabrics in an analogous manner to the tests performed on the Kawabata Evaluation System for Fabrics.Design methodology approach - The simulation of the tests is based on the modelling of the fabric microstructure and the application of the boundary conditions and the equivalent loading that correspond to each mechanical test, with a respect to the contact phenomena. A three-dimensional model consisting of three bodies in contact represents the unit cell of the fabric microstructure. Finite element analysis is used for the prediction of fabric performance since the complexity of the structure, the anisotropic properties of the yarns and the interaction phenomena between the yarns at the contact areas preclude the use of analytical methods.Findings - The proper definition of the boundary conditions and the appropriate load is of great significance for the realistic simulation of the mechanical tests under examination. The results of the simulated deformations compared to the respective measurements of the laboratory tests are correlated very well and this enables the consideration of the computational analysis as a powerful textile design tool.Originality value - The prediction of the mechanical properties of the knitted fabrics based on the computational modelling supports the estimation of the fabric hand during the design stage and before its manufacturing.