Numerical Modelling of the Compressional Behaviour of Warp-knitted Spacer Fabrics
Research and development
Authors:
- Vassiliadis S.
Department of Electronics, Technological Education Institute of Piraeus, Athens, Greece - Kallivretaki A.
School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athense, Athens, Greece - Psilla N.
Department of Civil Engineering, Technological Education Institute of Piraeus, Athens, Greece - Provatidis Ch.
School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athense, Athens, Greece - Mecit D.
Department of Textile Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey - Roye A.
Institut für Textiltechnik der RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
 Full text | Abstract: Warp-knitted spacer fabrics are successfully introduced in building constructions as a thin sheet component reinforcement for wall panels, exterior siding, roofing tiles, flooring tiles, pressure pipes etc. Their structural advantages support an armature system of highly oriented yarns and easy cement embodiment for the production of a composite. The compression resistance of spacer fabric is a major advantage with respect to the performance and composite manufacturing process. The optimum compression performance of spacer fabrics varies according to the requirements of the application in question. This investigation focused on the prediction of the compression performance by two-scale (micro and macro) mechanical analysis using the Finite Element Method (FEM). Micromechanical analysis of the unit cell of the spacer layer was conducted for the calculation of its compression resistance. The apparent mechanical properties of the outer layers were also evaluated by micromechanical modelling. The respective properties of the outer and spacer layers are introduced in the macromechanical model of the sample for analysis of the complex deformation during simulation of the compression test, thus realising the second stage of modelling. The computational method proposed is evaluated by comparison of the load – displacement curves resulting from the simulation and experimental data of compression. Moreover, the effect of the structural and physical parameters of the sample on the compression resistance was investigated. |
Tags: spacer fabric, compression resistance, Finite Element Method
Citation: Vassiliadis S., Kallivretaki A., Psilla N., Provatidis Ch., Mecit D., Roye A.; Numerical Modelling of the Compressional Behaviour of Warp-knitted Spacer Fabrics. FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2009, Vol. 17, No. 5 (76) pp. 56-61.