Description of draping behaviour of woven fabrics over single curvatures by image processing and simulation techniques

The use of natural fibres in polymer composite applications has gained great attention over the last decade, due to weight, economic and environmental aspects. Processing textile reinforced composites in various lay-up, resin infusion or compression moulding techniques requires good reproduction of mould shape. Thus, this study is concerned with the analysis of deformation and draping behaviour of woven fabrics over single curvatures. Experimental investigations of draping several jute and glass fibre woven fabrics of varying densities over a standard circular disc have been performed. Draping behaviour was analysed using image processing techniques and MATLAB application. Further simulation of the draping patterns has been achieved using PamForm software. Good prediction of draping behaviour of woven textiles is accessible, but requires a set of preliminary experiments to well characterise the fabric in question. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.