Finite element modelling of the quasi-static and dynamic behaviour of a solid sports ball based on component material properties

Abstract

Finite element modelling (FEM) has been used to replicate the quasi-static and dynamic behaviour of a solid sports ball (of a single material, extracted from a commercial hockey ball), by using experimentally determined viscoelastic, hyperelastic and mechanical material properties and data obtained from the ball material. Material data were measured using cylinders extracted from the ball. Hyperelastic data were obtained in uniaxial quasi-static compression, performed at a strain rate of 2×10−5 s−1, with viscoelastic data obtained in uniaxial compressive stress relaxation testing (at a range of strains between 0.05–0.2, to assess linear/non-linear viscoelasticity). The model assumes that the material properties were isotropic and its behaviour could be accurately described by a hyperelastic strain energy function and a viscoelastic Prony series. The accuracy of experimental stress relaxation data is discussed, along with its suitability for obtaining viscoelastic properties for use in modelling the quasi-static and dynamic behaviour of solid sports balls.