Continuum damage mechanics to predict rubber fatigue life under multiaxial loadings

Abstract

The continuum damage mechanics approach allows quantifying the degradation of a material via a damage variable D. By developing a new equivalent stress, a novel way is proposed to analyze the multiaxial fatigue of rubbers. Fatigue experiments under multiaxial loading paths were carried out on a Natural Rubber. Moreover, data on a Styrene Butadiene Rubber available in the literature were also used to check the validity of this approach. The comparison between the experimental data and the model estimates in terms of fatigue life leads to a nice agreement making this approach a robust tool for designing rubber parts.