Solid-mechanics finite element simulations of the draping of fabrics: a sensitivity analysis

This paper covers numerical investigations of the draping of woven fabrics into a “hat” shape, combining a hemispherical cup with a wide flat rim. A mechanical approach is adopted using finite element analysis (FEA) methodology. In this, the fabric is considered as a solid sheet with mechanical properties and friction properties. In this study, a linear elastic anisotropic material model describes the deformation of fabrics. An explicit dynamic finite element analysis is applied and systematic parametric numerical studies are presented, which incorporate investigations of the effects of numerical parameters, material properties and processing conditions on the draping of fabrics. More specifically, the effects of the following variables and parameters are included: number of elements, number of time increments in the dynamic FEA analysis, punch speed, shear and tensile moduli of fabric, coefficient of friction for all interfaces and level of load on the fabric holder.