Compression and Deformation of Cylindrical Rubber Blocks

Abstract

In the present study, compression and deformation behavior of vulcanized cylindrical rubber blocks has been examined using imaging techniques. Quantitative measurements of bulge radius and the associated lateral profile of the uniaxially loaded rubber blocks have been carried out experimentally using a newly developed imaging tool. The maximum bulge radius obtained using this method has shown good agreement with the established models. A significant increase in contact area has been observed in the images under large compressive strains. Also, at an intermediate strain level, a unique low intensity band occurred in the image between the outer ring and the center of compressed blocks. The nonlinear characteristics are obvious from the experiments conducted on the bonded cylinders using the developed imaging tool. It is evident from images that the deformed lateral profiles at larger compressive strain does not have parabolic shape and appeared to be more flat. Moreover the reliability of the testing tool has been evaluated and a data measurement technique has been proposed to characterize the behavior of rubber blocks under large compressive strains.