Abstract:
The mechanical behavior of knitted textiles is simulated using finite
element analysis (FEA). Given the strong coupling between geometrical and
physical aspects that affect the behavior of this type of engineering
materials, there are several challenges associated with the development of
computational tools capable of enabling physics-based predictions, while
keeping the associated computational cost appropriate for use within design
optimization processes. In this context, this paper investigates the
relative contribution of a number of computational factors to both local
and global mechanical behavior of knitted textiles. Specifically, different
yarn-to-yarn interaction definitions in three-dimensional (3D) finite
element models are compared to explore their relative influence on kinematic
features of knitted textiles' mechanical behavior. The relative motion
between yarns identified by direct numerical simulations (DNS) is then used
to construct reduced order models (ROMs), which are shown to be
computationally more efficient and providing comparable predictions of the
mechanical performance of knitted textiles that include interfacial effects
between yarns.
