Modelling and Visualization of the Geometry of Fibre Materials

Abstract: A geometry model for three dimensional fibre networks is proposed. The geometry model is intended to be a part of a system, where data from a computer tomography of a fibre material can be fitted to the geometry model and from there, be evaluated according to key parameters such as fibre length, fibre orientation angles and radii of curvature. The model is also intended to give the geometry foundation for a FE-model. The model uses several linked circle arcs to describe a fibre, which accommodates for modelling varying degrees of out of plane curl and kinks. A program has been developed that, from distributions of the aforementioned key parameters, generates a periodic network according to the model which can be visualised by the output of two different file formats, vrml and a specialised format for the fibre network viewing program, FibreScope. Comparisons have been made between microscope photographs of several different fibre materials, including paper and cellulose fibre fluff, and visualisations of generated networks showing versatility in the model to describe a wide variety of fibre material types.