Prediction of Air Permeability Using a Finite Element Method

Air permeability is one of the most important parameters in the study of thermo-physiological comfort of fabrics. The main goal of this work is to develop a virtual process that allows the prediction of air permeability of any fabric without realizing a sample. The Free and Porous Media Flow physics interface was used in COMSOL Multiphysics® software; this allows to use Navier-Stokes equation in the air free volume through yarns and the Brinkman equation inside yarns. This work confirms that air permeability can be predicted with good accuracy, from the basic design parameters of any fabric.