The present paper proposes a thorough comparison of twenty hyperelastic models for rubber-like materials. The ability of these models to reproduce different types of loading conditions is analyzed thanks to two classical sets of experimental data. Both material parameters and the stretch range of validity of each model are determined by an efficient fitting procedure. Then, a ranking of these twenty models is established, highlighting new efficient constitutive equations that could advantageously replace well-known models, which are widely used by engineers for finite element simulation of rubber parts.
1 September 2002 in Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids
International audienceFrom an engineering point of view, prediction of fatigue crack nucleation in automotive rubber parts is an essential prerequisite for the design of new components. We have derived a new predictor for fatigue crack nucleation in rubber. It is motivated by microscopic mechanisms induced by fatigue and developed in the framework of Configurational Mechanics. As the occurrence of macroscopic fatigue cracks is the consequence of the growth of pre-existing microscopic defects, the energy release rate of these flaws need to be quantified. It is shown that this microstructural evolution is governed by the smallest eigenvalue of the configurational (Eshelby) stress tensor. Indeed, this quantity appears to be a relevant multiaxial fatigue predictor under proportional loading conditions. Then, its generalization to non-proportional multiaxial fatigue problems is derived. Results show that the present predictor, which is related to the previously published predictors, is capable to unify multiaxial fatigue data