ANALYSIS OF THE STABILITY OF A FLAT TEXTILE STRUCTURE

Abstract This paper deals with a specific method of examining the state of equilibrium of a flat textile structure. This kind of structure is modelled as an inextensible elastica loaded with its dead weight and axial force. The elastica represents, as an example, a longitudinal section of a fabric. It is assumed that the elastica rests on a flat, immovable base. We considered only those forms of deformed elastica where it’s the two ends were supported by pivot bearings, and the tangent at those points lay on the immovable supporting plane. In the analysis, the shape of the deflection curve was determined for a given axial force, and it was examined whether a given position is stable or unstable. The analysis was carried out on the basis of the energetic method, by examining the potential energy of the system. The investigations can be used for simulations of fabric buckling, folding and other applications of textile mechanics.