Constitutive modelling of hyperelastic rubber-like materials

Z. Guo, L.J. Sluys
Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

The simulation of rubber-like material behaviour by means of the finite element method has been described in this study. Proper material models were selected for the numerical description of static hyper-elasticity. The combinations of a continuum damage mechanics concept and a pseudo-elastic concept with Gao's elastic law were used to simulate the ideal Mullins effect. Furthermore, a specific model describing the Mullins effect with permanent deformation was proposed. Another focus of this study was the verification of numerical constitutive models by means of experimental evidence, which is essential for the proper description of the behaviour of rubber-like materials in engineering applications.

Key words: Rubber-like material, constitutive modelling, Mullins effect, continuum damage mechanics, pseudo-elastic model, finite element method