Optical Strain Measurement of Textile Materials Using AI-Assisted Instrumentation for Smart Apparel Systems

AI-based optical measurement technology is increasingly being used to analyze textile mechanics, while modular fashion offers a sustainable approach through multifunctional garment design. However, the mechanical behavior of deformable modular garments remains underexplored. This study aims to determine how strain and deformation are distributed in a modular patchwork denim jacket during body movement and transformation into a tote bag, and to assess how effectively an AI-based optical measurement system can analyze this mechanical behavior. An AI-assisted optical measurement approach was used to evaluate the strain distribution and deformation behavior in a deformable modular denim garment during movement and transformation. The findings indicate that high strain concentrations primarily occur in the shoulder, elbow, and lateral torso regions during the folding and panel rearrangement stages. The patchwork zone consisting of thicker denim exhibits lower deformation and higher stiffness, while flexible sections enhance movement adaptability. The results demonstrate that AI-assisted image processing successfully identifies displacement patterns and produces real-time strain visualization with high accuracy. Furthermore, the modular construction redistributes mechanical stress across multiple zones of the garment, reducing local strain accumulation and enhancing structural stability during repeated transformation cycles.