A Molecular-Statistical Basis for the Gent Constitutive Model of Rubber Elasticity

Molecular constitutive models for rubber based on non-Gaussian statistics generally involve the inverse Langevin function. Such models are widely used since they successfully capture the typical strain-hardening at large strains. Limiting chain extensibility constitutive models have also been developed on using phenomenological continuum mechanics approaches. One such model, the Gent model for incompressible isotropic hyperelastic materials, is particularly simple. The strain-energy density in the Gent model depends only on the first invariant I ₁ of the Cauchy–Green strain tensor, is a simple logarithmic function of I ₁ and involves just two material parameters, the shear modulus μ and a parameter J _m which measures a limiting value for I ₁−3 reflecting limiting chain extensibility. In this note, we show that the Gent phenomenological model is a very accurate approximation to a molecular based stretch averaged full-network model involving the inverse Langevin function. It is shown that the Gent model is closely related to that obtained by using a Padè approximant for this function. The constants μ and J _m in the Gent model are given in terms of microscopic properties. Since the Gent model is remarkably simple, and since analytic closed-form solutions to several benchmark boundary-value problems have been obtained recently on using this model, it is thus an attractive alternative to the comparatively complicated molecular models for incompressible rubber involving the inverse Langevin function. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Heuristic search for a predictive strain-energy function in nonlinear elasticity

In this work, a new, quasi-structural model – bootstrapped eight-chain model – is proposed as a modification to the strain energy of eight-chain model [Arruda, E.M., Boyce, M.C., 1993. A three-dimensional constitutive model for the large stretch behaviour of rubber elastic materials. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 41, 389—412] that invokes the Langevin chain statistics. This development has been led to by our heuristic search into how the strain energy of eight-chain model may be adapted in order to account better for the mechanical behaviour of elastomeric materials in both linear and nonlinear elastic regimes [Treloar, L.R.G., 1944. Stress–strain data for vulcanised rubber under various types of deformation. Trans. Faraday Soc. 40, 59–70]. The eight-chain model appears to produce very similar results in predicting biaxial stress to those of a first stretch-invariant model that gives a good fit in uniaxial extension and, thus, it is shown that the former can not be significantly enhanced within the limitation of the latter. Evaluation of predictive capability for an additive invariant-separated form of strain energy shows that an explicit inclusion of a second stretch-invariant function would not work and that any thus added term ought to be dependent on both the first and second stretch-invariants of deformation tensor, and hints that an improvement is possibly needed at low strain. The composite and filament models [Miroshnychenko, D., Green, W.A., Turner, D.M., 2005. Composite and filament models for the mechanical behaviour of elastomeric materials. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 53 (4), 748–770] have their strain-energy functions in that suggested form and cope very well with predicting the experimental data of Treloar (1944). We use the form of strain energy for the filament model, that proved to be successful, to bootstrap the strain energy of eight-chain model in order to improve the performance of the latter at low strain. Thus, we derive a new model – bootstrapped eight-chain model – that requires only two material parameters – a rubber modulus and a limiting chain extensibility. The proposed model is quasi-structural due to bootstrapping and it retains the best traits and corrects the faults of the eight-chain model, conforming more closely to the classical experimental data of Treloar (1944).     

考虑缠结效应的超弹性本构模型

经典熵弹性模型,如Neo-Hookean模型和Arruda-Boyce八链模型,被广泛应用于预测橡胶等软材料的超弹性力学行为.然而,大量实验结果也显示仅采用一套模型参数,这类模型不能同时准确地描述橡胶在多种加载模式下的应力响应.为了克服上述模型的不足,本文在熵弹性的模型基础上引入缠结约束效应.微观上,采用Langevi...     

Foundation, analysis, and numerical investigation of a variational network-based model for rubber

Since the pioneering work by Treloar, many models based on polymer chain statistics have been proposed to describe rubber elasticity. Recently, Alicandro, Cicalese, and the first author rigorously derived a continuum theory of rubber elasticity from a discrete model by variational convergence. The aim of this paper is twofold. First, we further physically motivate this model and complete the analysis by numerical simulations. Second, in order to compare this model to the literature, we present in a common language two other representative types of models, specify their underlying assumptions, check their mathematical properties, and compare them to Treloar’s experiments.     

A Strain Energy Function for Vulcanized Rubbers

A three-parameter strain energy function is developed to model the nonlinearly elastic response of rubber-like materials. The development of the model is phenomenological, based on data from the classic experiments of Treloar, Rivlin and Saunders, and Jones and Treloar on sheets of vulcanized rubber. A simple two-parameter version, similar to the Mooney-Rivlin and Gent-Thomas strain energies, provides an accurate fit with all of the data from Rivlin and Saunders and Jones and Treloar, as well as with Treloar’s data for deformations for which the principal deformation invariant I ₁ has values in the range 3≤I ₁≤20.     

Problems in determining the elastic strain energy function for rubber

Lightly crosslinked natural rubber can be stretched by 600% or more, and recovers almost completely. It is often regarded as a model highly elastic material and characterized by a strain energy function to describe its stress-strain behavior under various types of deformation. A number of such functions have been proposed; some of them appear in current finite element programs. They are usually validated by comparison with measured stress-strain relations by Treloar [7] [L.R.G. Treloar, Stress-strain data for vulcanized rubber under various types of deformation, Trans. Faraday Soc. 40 (1944) 59-70] and Jones and Treloar [15] [D.F. Jones, L.R.G. Treloar, The properties of rubber in pure homogeneous strain, J. Phys. D Appl. Phys. 8 (1975) 1285-1304]. But Treloar pointed out that the relations at high strains became markedly irreversible, and he did not assign a strain energy function for strains greater than about 300%. Rivlin's universal relation between torsional stiffness and tensile stress [14] [R.S. Rivlin, Large elastic deformations of isotropic materials. Part V1: further results in the theory of torsion, shear and flexure, Philos. Trans. R. Soc. A 243 (1949) 251-288] is applied here to show that a typical elastic solid cannot be described by any strain energy function at strains greater than about 300%. Elastic strain energy functions for higher strains, or for other rubbery materials, are thus of doubtful value unless evidence for reversibility of stress-strain relations is adduced or the applicability of a strain energy function is demonstrated.     

Constitutive modeling and the trousers test for fracture of rubber-like materials

The classical constitutive modeling of incompressible hyperelastic materials such as vulcanized rubber involves strain-energy densities that depend on the first two invariants of the strain tensor. The most well-known of these is the Mooney-Rivlin model and its specialization to the neo-Hookean form. While each of these models accurately predicts the mechanical behavior of rubber at moderate stretches, they fail to reflect the severe strain-stiffening and effects of limiting chain extensibility observed in experiments at large stretch. In recent years, several constitutive models that capture the effects of limiting chain extensibility have been proposed. Here we confine attention to two such phenomenological models. The first, proposed by Gent in 1996, depends only on the first invariant and involves just two material parameters. Its mathematical simplicity has facilitated the analytic solution of a wide variety of basic boundary-value problems. A modification of this model that reflects dependence on the second invariant has been proposed recently by Horgan and Saccomandi. Here we discuss the stress response of the Gent and HS models for some homogeneous deformations and apply the results to the fracture of rubber-like materials. Attention is focused on a particular fracture test, namely the trousers test where two legs of a cut specimen are pulled horizontally apart. It is shown that the cut position plays a key role in the fracture analysis, and that the effect of the cut position depends crucially on the constitutive model employed. For stiff rubber-like or biological materials, it is shown that the influence of the cut position is diminished. In fact, for linearly elastic materials, the critical driving force for fracture is independent of the cut position. It is also shown that the limiting chain extensibility models predict finite fracture toughness as the cut position approaches the edge of the specimen whereas classical hyperelastic models predict unbounded toughness in this limit. The results are relevant to the structural integrity of rubber components such as vibration isolators, vehicle tires, earthquake bearings, seals and flexible joints.     

Computational modelling of the stress-softening phenomenon of rubber-like materials under cyclic loading

When a rubber specimen is subjected to cyclic loading, not only non-linear behaviour but also damage-induced stress-softening phenomena (the Mullins effect) have been observed. Applications of a continuum damage mechanics model and Ogden and Roxburgh's pseudo-elastic model to describe the Mullins effect in elastomers have been considered. Both models together with Gao's elastic law were implemented to describe the mechanical behaviour of rubber-like materials including the stress-softening phenomenon. Two sets of experimental data (a simple tension test and a simple tension and pure shear test) are used to validate the constitutive models. Model parameters are estimated via an inverse technique. Computational results show that both constitutive models together with Gao's elastic law can describe the typical Mullins effect. From engineering point of view, the pseudo-elastic model has the advantages that (i) the model is simple and practical, since it considers that the stress-softening function is only activated on unloading or reloading paths, (ii) the model with a slight modification of the damage variable is very stable in finite element calculations, and (iii) the numerical results agree very well with experimental data in both simple tension and pure shear deformation. Two applications illustrate the capability of combining the pseudo-elastic model with Gao's elastic law in describing the Mullins effect. It is emphasized that both models are applicable to multiaxial states of stress and strain because both models are energy-based and not strain-based.     

Constitutive Models for Compressible Nonlinearly Elastic Materials with Limiting Chain Extensibility

Constitutive models are proposed for compressible isotropic hyperelastic materials that reflect limiting chain extensibility. These are generalizations of the model proposed by Gent for incompressible materials. The goal is to understand the effects of limiting chain extensibility when the compressibility of polymeric materials is taken into account. The basic homogeneous deformation of simple tension is considered and simple closed-form relations for the deformation characteristics are obtained for slightly compressible materials. An explicit first-order approximation is obtained for the lateral contraction and for the Poisson function in terms of the axial extension which is shown to be valid for each of two specific compressible versions of the Gent model. One of the main results obtained is that the effect of limiting chain extensibility is to stiffen the material relative to the neo-Hookean compressible case. Mathematics Subject Classifications (2000) 74B20, 74G55.     

The remarkable Gent constitutive model for hyperelastic materials

In 1996, Alan Gent published a short paper that proposed the use of a very simple two parameter phenomenological constitutive model for hyperelastic isotropic incompressible materials. The model is empirical but has the advantages of mathematical simplicity, reflects the severe strain-stiffening at large strains observed experimentally, reduces to the classic neo-Hookean model for small strains and involves just two material parameters namely the shear modulus for infinitesimal deformations and a parameter that measures a maximum allowable value of strain. The model reflects the limiting chain extensibility characteristic of non-Gaussian molecular models for rubber. Here we review some of the numerous developments, extensions and widespread applications that have resulted from that groundbreaking paper not only in rubber elasticity but also in the area of biomechanics of soft biomaterials. The Gent model is remarkably robust: its mathematical simplicity combined with physical basis has ensured that it has reached status as a fundamental canonical phenomenological constitutive model for hyperelastic materials.     

Gent models for the inflation of spherical balloons

We revisit an iconic deformation of non-linear elasticity: the inflation of a rubber spherical thin shell. We use the 3-parameter Mooney and Gent-Gent (GG) phenomenological models to explain the stretch–strain curve of a typical inflation, as these two models cover a wide spectrum of known models for rubber, including the Varga, Mooney–Rivlin, one-term Ogden, Gent-Thomas and Gent models. We find that the basic physics of inflation exclude the Varga, one-term Ogden and Gent-Thomas models. We find the link between the exact solution of non-linear elasticity and the membrane and Young–Laplace theories often used a priori in the literature. We compare the performance of both models on fitting the data for experiments on rubber balloons and animal bladder. We conclude that the GG model is the most accurate and versatile model on offer for the modelling of rubber balloon inflation.     

On a molecular statistical basis for Ogden's model of rubber elasticity

In this paper, a link is established between the statistical theory of long chain molecules and Ogden's phenomenological model of rubber elasticity. It has been shown by several authors in the past that many invariant-based phenomenological models for rubber-like materials are related to the classical statistical theories. The essential means to reach this reconciliation were methods to account for a non-affine deformation of polymer chains in the network, appropriate techniques to calculate their averaged response, and an approximation of the inverse Langevin function appearing in the non-Gaussian statistical theory. It is shown in this paper that the very same approach, if appropriately implemented, allows to express the strain-energy function of Ogden's material in terms of physical constants characterising the polymer chain and network, together with few additional parameters that account for the non-affine deformation of the polymer chains. Particularly, it is shown that Ogden's model can be represented as a non-affine non-Gaussian 3-chain model with topological constraints.     

Non-linear stresses in a rubber cylinder sheared by pressure at one end

Normal stresses are set up by shearing a rubber block or tube. They depend strongly on the end conditions, even for relatively long specimens [A.N. Gent, J.B. Suh, S.G. Kelly III, Mechanics of rubber shear springs, Int. J. Non-Linear Mech. 42 (2007) 241-249; J.B. Suh, A.N. Gent, S.G. Kelly III, Shear of rubber tube springs, Int. J. Non-Linear Mech. 42 (2007) 1116-1126]. We have now examined a solid rubber cylinder bonded within a rigid cylindrical tube and subjected to pressure at one end. In this case, the correct end conditions for a simple shear deformation are met, at least approximately. Theoretical analysis and finite element calculations show that inwardly directed second-order stresses are set up at the wall, in contrast to the outwardly directed stresses generated by shearing a block or tube. However, for the particular geometry considered, the stresses were rather small in comparison with the applied pressure. Conditions are described under which they would be significantly larger. Stresses in a non-linearly viscous fluid under steady shear flows are expected to be similar, depending strongly on the geometry, end shapes and stress conditions.     

Probabilistic and stochastic aspects of rubber hyperelasticity

The main aim of this work is to compare various models of rubber elasticity, i.e. neo-Hookean, Mooney-Rivlin, Yeoh, Gent, Arruda-Boyce as well as the Extended Tube model in terms of their application to the probabilistic analysis. Some discussions concerning failure analysis of the rubbers according to these models is provided also. Constitutive relations following these theories are tested for the case of uniaxial tension of the incompressible material, where deformation of a rubber specimen is treated as Gaussian random variable having a priori given expectation and standard deviations varying in some interval with bounds driven by various experimentation techniques. Probabilistic analysis is provided here in two alternative ways—via traditional Monte-Carlo technique as well as using higher order stochastic perturbation method implemented both in the symbolic computer algebra software. An application of non-Gaussian distributions relevant to the considered deformation, like lognormal one for instance has been also considered. This analysis includes computational determination of the first four basic probabilistic characteristics, i.e. expectation, coefficient of variation, skewness and kurtosis, and is provided to verify the resulting probabilistic distribution of the induced stress and its entropy. Some conclusions are drawn for the generalization of this method to other stress softening materials.     

An invariant based damage model of stress-softening

A phenomenological model to predict the Mullins stress-softening effect in an isotropic, incompressible, hyperelastic rubber-like material is proposed which describes deformation induced microstructural damage and the same is characterised by a simple exponential softening function. The proposed isotropic damage function depends on the maximum previous value of the first invariant of the left Cauchy–Green deformation tensor. The proposed model of softening is illustrated with the theory of Gent material model and finally it is validated with experimental data provided in the literature. The model shows a simple functional form and brings out the interrelation between other models of this type.     

各向同性超弹性本构模型数值计算及验证

现有多种形式的橡胶本构模型试图预测橡胶力学性质,其中部分模型已写入有限元软件中用于仿真计算,还存在较多拟合性较好的模型无法在有限元材料库中直接获得。本文详述了由不变量和主伸长率描写的各向同性超弹性本构模型的数值实现方法,并结合最新的本构模型开发了UHYPER和UMAT子程序。将UHYPER用于有限元实现对多孔橡胶板的拉伸仿真,对比仿真和试验结果,验证子程序的正确性以及评估本构模型预测复杂应变场的准确性;将UMAT用于单轴、等双轴和剪切拉伸的有限元仿真,对比仿真和本构模型理论结果,验证子程序的可靠性。结果表明,有限元仿真结果与理论结果拟合较好,子程序能够契合本构模型的力学描述,所述方法可以用于超弹性材料的数值计算。     

Limiting Chain Extensibility Constitutive Models of Valanis–Landel Type

A new general constitutive model in terms of the principal stretches is proposed to reflect limiting chain extensibility resulting in severe strain-stiffening for incompressible, isotropic, homogeneous elastic materials. The strain-energy density involves the logarithm function and has the general Valanis–Landel form. For specific functions in the Valanis–Landel representation, we obtain particular strain-energies, some of which have been proposed in the recent literature. The stress–stretch response in some basic homogeneous deformations is described for these particular strain-energy densities. It is shown that the stress response in these deformations is similar to that predicted by the Gent model involving the first invariant of the Cauchy–Green tensor. The models discussed here depend on both the first and second invariants.      

Controlling the stress–strain inhomogeneities in axially sheared and radially heated hollow rubber tubes via functional grading

Functional grading of rubber-like materials is suggested as a means of controlling their mechanical response within the context of finite thermoelasticity. To illustrate the concept of functional grading, we consider the axial shearing deformation of a radially heated, isotropic, incompressible, hollow rubber tube. The temperature stiffening, the strain stiffening, and the radially varying shear modulus of rubber tubes are modeled here by generalizing the Neo-Hookean and the Gent models. Local energy and momentum balance equations are solved to obtain the temperature and stress–strain fields in the sheared tube. The shear strain becomes highly inhomogeneous with an increase in temperature gradient, whereas functional grading of the tube can perfectly homogenize the strain. This paper indicates the potential of functionally grading rubbers to control their mechanical response in thermally hostile environments.     

Stress relaxation,creep and set recovery of elastomers

The stress relaxation, creep and recovery behaviour of a cross-linked unfilled natural rubber has been investigated at moderate stresses in tension. The aim being to extend the idea, initially developed by Alan Gent in his seminal 1962 paper on the relaxation behaviour of rubber, in order to understand and examine the time dependent mechanisms that are present in elastomers under strain. A method based upon the Boltzmann superposition principle was used to compare the creep compliance with a measurement of its recovery after release from a range of constant loads held for different times. The creep behaviour was seen to exhibit the usual linear dependence on the logarithm of time. The recovery data was also seen to reduce onto a single recovery curve for any given applied tensile stress for a range of loading times using the Boltzmann superposition principle. The differences between the relative rates of the creep and the recovery behaviour can in part be attributed to the non-linearity in the stress–strain behaviour exhibited in tension of the elastomer.     

HIA: A Hybrid Integral Approach to model incompressible isotropic hyperelastic materials—Part 1: Theory

This paper provides a new constitutive model for rubber-like materials. The model adds to the 8-chain density introduced by Arruda and Boyce, two phenomenological components: an original part made of an integral density and an interleaving constraint part represented by a logarithmic function as proposed by Gent and Thomas. The model contains six rheological parameters connected to the polymer chemistry and to the macroscopic behavior. Four sets of experimental data from the literature are used to identify the rheological parameters and to assess the proposed model. The model is able to reproduce with a good accuracy experimental data performed under different loading conditions such as uniaxial and equibiaxial tension, uniaxial compression, pure and simple shear as well as the Mooney plot.