This research presents a novel computational model designed to simulate the compression
behaviour of non-woven materials composed of entangled, non-cross-linked fibre systems.
These materials undergo diverse states of varying compression rates, notably during
processes like needle-punching in their production. Understanding the microstructure at
different compression rates is pivotal for accurately simulating the macroscopic behaviour of
non-woven materials in such scenarios.
To address this, a discrete computational model treating fibres as chains of interacting balls
is proposed. A quasistatic, uniaxial load is incrementally applied to achieve the target
compression rate. The model's algorithm, utilizing force-based dynamics for discrete
particles, incorporates two types of recovery forces originating from fibre elasticity, as well as
the repulsive forces and friction at the contact sites of fibres. The algorithm is optimized to
achieve better computational efficiency for the contact behaviour.
The model allows for the virtual compression of the fibre system, enabling the simulation of
final configurations at any compression rate when provided with the initial fibre system and
relevant material parameters. Furthermore, it provides a load-compression relationship,
thereby serving as a homogenization method for understanding the mechanical behaviour of
such microstructural materials.
