Strain Energy Functions for a Poisson Power Law Function in Simple Tension of Compressible Hyperelastic Materials

The most general strain energy function that yields a power law relationship between the principal stretches in the simple tension of nonlinear, elastic, homogeneous, compressible, isotropic materials is obtained. The approach taken generalises that used by Blatz and Ko. The strain energy function obtained depends on the choice of two stretch invariants. The forms of the strain energy function for a number of such choices are obtained. Finally, some consequences of the choice of strain energy function on the stress–strain relationship for uniaxial tension are investigated. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.