STRAIN-ENERGY DENSITY-FUNCTION FOR RUBBER-LIKE MATERIALS

The strain-energy density function surface for the rubber tested by L. R.G. Treloak (1944a) is determined from bis stress-strain data. The data were given for the three pure homogeneous strain paths of simple elongation, pure shear, and equi-biaxial extension of a thin sheet. The surface is formed by plotting calculated points of the strain-energy function above a plane having the first and second strain invariants as rectangular cartesian coordinates. The strain-energy function is expressed as a double power series in the invariants expanded about the zero energy state which is the origin of coordinates. An analysis of this experimentally derived surface provides the information required for the rational selection of terms and the determination of the coefficients in the series expansion, thus defining a function within the Rivlin-type formulation. The function so determined is tested by employing it in the appropriate constitutive formulae to compute stresses for comparison with experimental values. Another test is made by utilizing the function to predict shapes of an inflated membrane for comparison with experimentally observed shapes. Excellent agreement between prediction and experiment is found. A second demonstration is given for another rubber tested by D.F. Jones and L.R.G. Treloar (1975). Again, excellent results are obtained. © 1979.