Simulation-Based Contact Pressure Prediction Model to Optimize Health Monitoring Using E-Textile Integrated Garment

Enhancing Biosignal Quality in Electrocardiogram Monitoring Garments: Validation of a Simulation-Based Contact Pressure Model

“…Building upon the theoretical models, this study explored a simulation-based contact pressure prediction model (CP model) to estimate the pressure exerted by knit fabrics on a cylinder surface. As detailed in Section (Figure ), our methodology was initiated with the digitization of eight knit samples, subsequently conducting simulations that involve local strain measurements.…”

“…The center of the fabric placed over the cylinder was measured and repeated multiple times. The average simulated stress or strain can be used along with the stretch stiffness in the simulation-based CP model (eq ) CP 0.25em = 0.25em ( t 2 π r ) ( ε s 0.25em × 0.25em SS ) newline = ( t 2 π r ) ( σ s 0.25em × 0.25em C ) where t is the thickness of the specimen (m), r is the radius of a cylinder (m), ε s is the measured simulation strain, σ s is the simulated stress (kPa), and SS is the stretch stiffness in the specific direction (warp, weft, or shear) obtained from the digitized physical property (g/s 2 ). The material constant ( C ) can be calculated from exp( a + b × SS + c × SS 2 ) by inserting the constants ( a , b , and c are 4.42549, −0.05652, and 3.93323e –4 , respectively). , In this study, we efficiently used simulation strain and stretch stiffness by plugging them into the CP model (eq ).…”

“…To select the appropriate compressional material for functional garment designs for the specific end-use, one must first conduct a physical tensile test to obtain the elastic modulus and then predict the contact pressure using theoretical CP models from existing literature. After selecting the right fabric based on their predictions to meet the desired CP, it is then moved on to fabric digitization and garment simulation to create functional apparel prototypes before physical production. − However, an ideal scenario would involve predicting the contact pressure directly within the simulation program. The reliance on physical tensile testing can be minimized or even eliminated by obtaining garment stress or strain data from the simulation’s mechanical property representation and converting it into actual pressure values.…”

“…This study presents a novel approach by comparing theoretical insights (uniaxial tensile test-based pressure prediction) with a simulation-based contact pressure model (CP model). Youn et al recently developed the simulation-based CP model to enhance electrocardiogram (ECG) signal quality for designing their ECG armband. , However, their study was limited to single jersey fabrics, not exploring interlock or elastane plaiting structures integral to compression garments. We extend this model to various knit structures and applications, aiming to optimize the contact pressure for enhanced biosignal quality in ECG chest bands.…”

A Comparative Study of 3D Simulation and Scanning Technologies for Virtual Fabric Testing Laboratory: Tensile Tester

“…To virtualize fabric, it is required to measure the fabric's physical properties and then digitize these properties through an emulation process. In this study, CLO Fabric Testing Kit 2.0 was employed to measure the fabric's weight, thickness, bending, and stretch properties, as guided by the kit's manual [5]. For maintaining consistent control conditions, the CLO stretch tester from the testing kit was employed to stretch fabric samples, subsequently serving as the basis for our simulations.…”