I am trying to model a knitted hose with Aramid (Example attached with this question). For the hose (outer and inner surfaces), I plan to use conventional shell elements (S4R), and for the reinforcements (knitting), shell elements with membrane properties (M3D4). I would like to calculate the stresses in the reinforcing layer.
I would like to know, is this the best way to model reinforcements like this? What is special about membrane properties that shells don't have?
Dear Jonah,
the difference between membrane and shell is that membrane elements only carry in plane loads, while generally shells carry out of plane bending loads as well. In the case of that mesh, it is probably reasonable to assume that it would bend out of plane with no resistance, but you could pull/push on it.
Hope this helps,
Best regards,
David
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