STRAIN MEASUREMENT IN FABRICS. PART IV: A NON-CONTACT METHOD OF DETERMINING FINITE STRAINS - APPLICATION TO STRAIN FIELDS IN GARMENTS

A non-contact method of measuring strain fields in fabrics, described in previous papers, has been applied to a problem in garment engineering. The particular problem is that of the strain developed across seams in garments intended for use in the operating room, where seam failure is unacceptable. The method is applied to the back seams of prototype disposable trousers constructed with different ease allowances. The difficulties of applying the method in practice to garments that are stressed by large movements of the body are discussed. The methods used to overcome the difficulties are described. Example strain fields from the study are given.