Theoretical and experimental analysis of bending rigidity of plain and twill woven fabrics

The study of bending behavior of woven fabrics is an important issue in textile scientific researches and its industrial applications. Different behavior of fabrics such as drape, comfort, and handling can be understood by this study. Bending rigidity of fabric depends on several factors such as weave geometry, bending rigidity of yarn, and yarn density. In this study, estimation of bending rigidity of woven fabric with different twill and plain structures, have been carried out using energy method. Generally, the woven fabric structure is divided into three different section lengths i.e. rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible sections. Thereafter, bi-component and tri-component models for predicting bending behavior of plain and twill woven fabric have been presented. Then, bending properties of fabric based on Shirley apparatus as well as weight per area as a physical property were measured. Good agreement between measured and predicted values, validated our theoretical models for obtaining bending rigidity, except considerable differences observed between experimental and predicted values using bi-component model of plain fabric. Therefore, using assumptions in calculation of the ratio of rigid section length to flexible section length (R₁), the modified model of plain fabric has been proposed.