Development and optimisation of image analysis technique for fabric buckling evaluation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to optimise parameters of digital image analysis to investigate the deformation behaviour of woven sample and to detect the onset and variation of wrinkling that occurs due to bias-tensioned fabric buckling. Design/methodology/approach Using models of predescribed shape, the relationship between the digitized gray scale intensities and wrinkles of the surface are analysed and conditions of specimen illumination and filtering procedures are chosen. Findings It is proposed to convert acquired images to binary to record the onset of buckling and to estimate critical buckling parameters of stretched woven samples. The threshold value is determined as mean value of approximated histogram of stretched specimen centre line. It is defined that profile curve and gray scale disperse presented by parameter CV can be used to obtain additional information and to compare behaviour of different samples during bias tension. Research limitations/implications Proposed image analysis technique allows detection of the onset of buckling wave formation and evaluation of surface waviness changes in woven samples different in colour and weave type tension. However, the behaviour of fabric samples with sharp multicoloured and complicated patterns cannot be assessed by gray scale imaging. Originality/value The proposed approach can be adjusted to investigate different wrinkling problems – buckling during simple shearing or picture frame test, seam puckering, draping.