Abstract
A method for the determination of fatigue lives of rubber springs is described which is based on a fracture mechanics approach. Fatigue experiments have been performed on model components consisting of solid rubber cylinders bonded between metal endpieces of the same diameter. Crack growth in uniaxial compression followed an approximately parabolic locus. Tearing energies were determined both experimentally and theoretically. The results could be plotted on a unique curve of tearing energy, T. versus crack growth rate, dc/dN, as could results from tests on thin strips of rubber fatigued in simple extension. Application of the approach is described to two case histories. The first is the design of a large spherical rubber joint to support an offshore oil-production platform, and the second is the fatigue analysis of a rubber antivibration mounting for a rail car after 2·5 years service.
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