Hyperelastic Material Characterization: A Method of Reducing the Error of Using only Uniaxial Data for Fitting Mooney-Rivlin Curve

Abstract

The risk of error in using only uniaxial data for fitting constitutive model curves is emphasized by many hyperelastic material researchers over the years. Unfortunately, despite these indications, often the method is utilized in finding material constants for mathematical models. The reason behind this erroneous practice is the difficulty in obtaining biaxial data. Therefore, as a remedial measure, in this research work we suggest a method of forecasting biaxial data from uniaxial data with a reasonable accuracy. Initially, a set of data is collected through standard uniaxial test. A predefined generalized function is then used to generate a set of values which subsequently used as multiplication factors in order to get biaxial tension data. Eventually, with availability of two data sets, Mooney-Rivlin two parameter model was used for combined data fitting. Material constants were then obtained through least squares approach and thereby theoretical load curves namely uniaxial, equi-biaxial tension and pure shear were drawn. The results of this work suggest a definite improvement related to three curves when compared with only uniaxial test data fitted outcomes. For validation of secondary biaxial data, separate eqi-biaxial test was done and resulting curves were compared. Biaxial primary data curve and forecasted data driven curve show identical data distribution pattern though there is a shift and therefore provide a basis for further research in this direction.