Vevsmekanikk

Vevsmekanikk, or the mechanics of woven fabrics, is the study of how woven textiles respond to mechanical loads. It analyzes the interaction of two interlaced yarn systems—warp and weft—and how their geometry, crimp, and friction govern the fabric’s stiffness, strength, and drape. Woven fabrics exhibit anisotropic behavior: properties differ by loading direction, being typically strongest along the warp and weft while more compliant in shear and bending.

The fabric’s architecture—yarn count, weave pattern (plain, twill, satin), yarn stiffness, ply, and crimp—controls its macroscopic response. Crimp causes nonlinearity and reduces initial stiffness; interlacing points transfer load between yarns. In-plane and out-of-plane responses involve bending of yarns, friction at intersections, and out-of-plane buckling, all contributing to overall performance.

Modeling approaches range from macro-scale constitutive models treating fabric as an anisotropic plate or membrane to micro-scale models that resolve individual yarns and their crimps. Experimental methods include tensile testing along principal directions, bias extension tests to measure shear resistance, bending tests, and drape measurements. Computational methods such as finite element analysis and multiscale homogenization are used to predict behavior under complex loads.

Vevsmekanikk informs the design of apparel, technical textiles, and composite reinforcements, as well as protective and geotextile fabrics. By understanding the relationship between weave architecture and mechanical response, engineers tailor fabric properties through weave choice, yarn selection, and finishing processes.