A simple anisotropic hyperelastic constitutive model for textile fabrics with application to forming simulation

A simple hyperelastic constitutive model is developed to characterize the anisotropic and large deformation behavior of textile fabrics. In the model, the strain energy function is decomposed into two parts representing fiber stretches and fiber-fiber interaction (cross-over shearing) between weft and warp yarns. The proposed constitutive model is demonstrated on a balanced plain woven fabric. The actual forms of the strain energy functions are determined by fitting uni-axial tensile and picture-frame shear tests of the woven fabrics. The developed model is validated by comparing numerical results with experimental bias extension data, and then applied to simulation of a benchmark double dome forming, demonstrating that the proposed anisotropic hyperelastic constitutive model is highly suitable to predict the large deformation behavior of textile fabrics. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.