Computational and physical aspects for the occurrence of crease in an elastomer under general loading conditions

Abstract

We study the occurrence of crease in an elastomer under three loading conditions from both computational and physical points of view. A two-dimensional finite element analysis, including a perturbation force-based approach, is performed to detect the stable creased state, where the crease formation is completed. A mesh convergence study for the energy release and crease depth in the creased state provides a guideline for the finite element mesh requisite for predicting the occurrence of crease. We also visualize the mesh convergence for the critical creasing onset by plotting the set of compressive strain and mesh resolution at the point where the energy release is zero. In addition, the present evaluation method of the surface tension using the energy release and surface area change for an elastomer with a traction-free surface yields a good prediction for the creasing onset delayed by surface tension without additional numerical implementations or adjustment parameters. This facilitates the comprehensive study of the creasing onset delayed by the surface tension under general loading conditions. The results reveal that tensile deformation in the out-of-plane direction encourages the retardation of the creasing onset via the extension of the width and the energy emission. We further demonstrate that energetically preferential crease interval can be used to evaluate the spacing between creases delayed by moderate surface tension.