Modeling and Data-Driven Parameter Estimation for Woven Fabrics

Accurate estimation of mechanical parameters for simulation of woven fabrics is essential in many fields. To facilitate this we first present a new orthotropic hyperelastic constitutive model for woven fabrics. Next, we design an experimental protocol for characterizing real fabrics based on commercially available tests. Finally, we create a method for accurately fitting the material parameters to the experimental data. The last step is accomplished by solving inverse problems based on a Catmull-Clark subdivision finite element discretization of the Kirchhoff-Love equations for thin shells. Using this approach we are able to reproduce the fully nonlinear behavior corresponding to the captured data with a small number of parameters while maintaining all fundamental invariants from continuum mechanics. The resulting constitutive model can be used with any discretization (e.g., simple triangle meshes) and not just subdivision finite elements. We illustrate the entire process with results for five types of fabric and compare photo reference of the real fabrics to the simulated equivalents.