Experimental studies and computer simulations of the draping of woven fabrics

Extensive experimental and theoretical analyses of the draping of woven fabrics have been carried out. The mould set up consists of a hemispherical dome sitting on a flat surface in order to investigate the double-curvature draping. Four types of woven fabrics were tested: a loose plain weave, a tight plain weave, a twill and a satin weave. The draped shape was photographed and image analysed to evaluate the local fibre orientation. The fabrics were compared in terms of formability and wrinkling. The draping was also modelled by using the solid mechanics theory of forming, the assumption of elastic shear deformation, experimental data for the material properties of fabric and a finite element analysis (LUSAS FEA software package). The interactions between the fabric and the mould were modelled by considering a 'soft air' volume between the two bodies.