Simulation of yarn stress relaxation and creep behaviors using genetic algorithm

Abstract

Eyring’s non-linear visco-elastic model has been used to describe two important time dependent mechanical behaviors for textile materials such as stress relaxation and creep. Three yarns suitable for the production of stretch fabrics, viz. 100% wool, wool–lycra and polyester–wool–lycra spun from siro spinning technology are considered in this study. The complex mathematical equations of Eyring’s model are handled by a nontraditional evolutionary algorithm such as genetic algorithm. The findings show that Eyring’s model not only simulates both stress relaxation as well as creep behaviors of the experimental yarns with reasonable degree of accuracy, but also deciphers the underlying molecular mechanism of the two behaviors for these yarns.