Analysis of the tensile behavior of tubular braids using energy method,Part II: experimental study

In the first part of this series, an analytical model was proposed for predicting the tensile modulus of tubular braids using energy method. The aim of this study is to perform experimental effort to evaluate the previous generated model. For this purpose, two types of yarns namely monofilament and multifilament yarns were used to produce tubular braids. The bending rigidity and tensile modulus of yarns were obtained in order to be used in the mentioned model. Also, the geometrical parameters of braids, i.e. braid angle, length of the unit-cell, and length of the yarns in the unit-cell were measured. Using the proposed model, the tensile modulus of braids was calculated. On the other hand, the tensile modulus of provided samples was measured by means of INSTRON tensile tester and compared with theoretical values. The results showed that the proposed model in Part I of this series is capable of predicting tensile modulus of braids with different structure, adequately.     

An investigation into the bust girth range of pressure comfort garment based on elastic sports vest

The global man-made-fibre industry has had to endure considerable structural change since the early 1970s. This paper studies both the reasons for the emergence of excess capacity in the industrialised nations and the manner in which producers and governments have dealt with it. It is clear from this study that the pattern and speed of adjustment to different market conditions have varied according to region, and possible reasons are examined.     

An investigation into the effects of fiber architecture on the mechanical behavior of woven preforms

This study attempts to analyze the behavior of different types of woven composite preforms (i.e. plain, twill, and satin) under distinct loading conditions. To this end, fabric elements are modeled using discrete finite element approach. Different loading scenarios such as intra-ply shear, in-plane tension, and simultaneous intra-ply shear and in-plane tension loads are applied to the fabric elements. TexGen software is utilized to develop the geometric model of the fabric elements. Subsequently, the geometric model is exported to ABAQUS FE package and mechanistic analyses are conducted. The FE results reveal that under the same loading conditions, the in-plane tensile stress induced in plain weave elements has the minimum value compared to twill and satin elements. Having said that, the intra-ply shear resistance of the plain element is larger than the other weave types. What’s more, the behavior of the fabric elements under simultaneous intra-ply shear and tension loading scenarios are studied that discloses almost the similar response for all weave types.     

An investigation into the effect of fabric structure on the compressional properties of woven fabrics

Lateral compression is one of the most important mechanical aspects of fabrics, which reflects their handle. Fabric compressional features depend on the compressional characteristics of constituent yarns and the fabric structure. In order to consider the effect of fabric structural parameters on its compressional properties, woven fabrics with five different weave patterns (plain, hopsack 2/2, twill 2/2, twill 3/1, warp rib 2/2) were produced with three different nominal weft densities (12, 15, 18 cm^?1). The compressional properties of produced fabrics were evaluated at different pressure values using a conventional fabric thickness tester. It was observed that increasing the weft density leads to decrease in the dissipated compression energy as well as the compressibility of the fabric, while the thickness recovery of the fabric increases. Moreover, the plain woven fabric exhibited the lowest dissipated compression energy and compressibility, while the highest thickness recovery. Besides, at the low pressure level, the fabrics with the lower weft densities demonstrate the higher thickness. By increase in the pressure level, the fabric thickness decreases by decreasing the weft density.     

Acting to self-regulate unhealthy eating habits. An investigation into the effects of habit,hedonic hunger and self-regulation on sugar consumption from confectionery foods

Many people are motivated to eat healthily but find it difficult to override established and less healthy habits. Habits by their nature are unconscious and cued by the environment, thus making them powerful determinants of behaviour. Limited research has explored the role of habit as a mediator between self-regulation and sugar consumption. This study investigated the relative importance of factors that support/impede the consumption of foods with high sugar content and the mediating effect of habit. The study sample was 500 Irish adult’s representative of the population. Sugar consumption, habit, hedonic hunger, self-efficacy, perceived need, dietary planning and dietary self-monitoring were assessed using self-reported measures. A path analysis of the data was used to test the direct and indirect effects of the independent factors on estimated sugar consumption grams per day (g/d). In addition, the interaction effects of self-efficacy and dietary planning/self-monitoring on sugar consumption was examined using simple slope analysis. The results showed that habit had the largest effect in the model and was positively related to sugar consumption g/d (b = 12.09, p < 0.01). While the direct effect of self-efficacy on sugar-consumption g/d was significant (b = −5.25, p < 0.05), this effect was partially mediated by habit (−4.84, Bca CI −7.00, −3.00) and the direct effect of action control on sugar consumption (b = −1.30, p = 0.311) was fully mediated by habit (b = −2.42, Bca CI −3.93, −1.20), which indicates that strong unhealthy habits compete against self-efficacy and can reduce the potential benefits of dietary planning and self-monitoring. The simple slope analysis revealed that action control has a significant negative effect on sugar intake when self-efficacy is weak (b = −5.48, p = 0.01). The direct effect of hedonic hunger on confectionery sugar consumption (b = 1.38, p = 0.376) was fully mediated by habit (b = 5.92, Bca CI 4.20, 8.08) indicating that the desire to eat tempting food may overrides one’s intended behaviour resulting in counter-intentional habits. It is apparent from the findings that a dual strategy of targeting behaviour and the underlying habits may be effective in improving dietary intake and self-regulation is likely to be sustainable only in an environment that facilitates healthy eating behaviour.