Prediction of Bending Behavior of Woven Fabric Using a Mechanical Model Based on the Theory of Bending of Elastic Cantilever Beam

The bending behavior of plain woven fabric has been predicted on the basis of its structural characteristics and constituent yarns properties. A mechanical model based on the theory of bending of elastic cantilever beam has been developed and bending length of the beam under its own weight has been calculated for all values of deformation. In testing analysis، different samples of plain woven fabrics were prepared. The samples were tested for bending length، bending rigidity and bending modulus using standard test methods. In order to calculate the bending parameters based on the proposed mechanical model، the count and tensile characteristics of warp and weft yarns and also fabric thicknesses were determined. Then the fabric constructional parameters were calculated using Peirce''s structural model for plain woven fabric. Bending length of the fabrics with a deformation of 41. 50° was predicted theoretically after calculating the required parameters using a developed model. Then، the theoretical bending rigidity and bending modulus were predicted using Peirce''s equations in bending state. The results of the study show that، the proposed model is able to predict bending behavior of plain woven fabric with high degree of precision. It is concluded that، minimum and maximum errors in calculating bending length are 9. 85% and 20. 23% in warp direction and 0. 84% and 3. 70% in weft direction، respectively.