On Some General Features of a Computer-Based System for Calculation of the Mechanics of Textile Structures

The general problems of developing a computer-based system for calculations in textile mechanics, which is necessary if properties of textile structures are to be investigated, predicted and optimized, are examined. A hierarchical structure (fibers, yarns, fabrics, end-products) is proposed for the system, in which the ( n - 1)-th level properties, expressed in continuum terms, combine with n-th level structure to give n-th level continuum properties. Textile mechanics problems are classified, and the contribution of computational methods discussed. General schemes for the solution of boundary value problems are described. Examples are given from current work at UMIST, and a list of programs is appended.