Numerical analysis of deformation behavior of a 3D textile structure with negative Poisson’s ratio under compression

A numerical analysis using the finite element (FE) method was conducted to investigate the deformation behavior of a novel three-dimensional (3D) textile structure made by a special arrangement of the weft and warp yarns in a 3D orthogonal structure to achieve negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR). The minimum number of unit cells required for the FE analysis was first determined by comparing the calculating results of Poisson’s ratio values based on the FE models built with fixed structural parameters and yarn properties. Then Poisson’s ratio values of the 3D textile structure with different structural parameters and yarn properties under compression were calculated using the FE models built with the determined unit cells. The calculating results show that the 3D structure can achieve NPR in one direction if the weft and warp yarns used have different bending stiffness and radii. This numerical analysis can provide useful information for the design and fabrication of this kind of 3D textile structure, which has high potential applications in composite reinforcement and other technical areas.