3A4_0720_ ANALYSES OF THE DRAPABILITY OF BIAXIAL REINFORCED WEFT-KNITTED FABRICS BY MEANS OF FEM MESO-SCALE MODELS

Abstract

The bending and shearing properties have a major influence on the drapability of 2D fabrics while forming 3D preforms for composites. The bending and shearing behaviour are dependent on the yarn bending stiffness, the interaction between the yarn systems, and the density of the yarn systems in the textile structure. Weft-knitted fabrics are known for their excellent drapability due to their internal structure. Meso-scale models of two biaxial reinforced weft-knitted fabrics with different configurations of the yarn systems are used to predict the forming behaviour of the fabrics. Results show an excellent agreement of the simulations compared to experimental trials, thus, making the model a valid tool for further analyses of the preforms.