Modeling of Visco-Hyperelastic Behavior of Foams

Abstract

In this paper, a new visco-hyperelastic constitutive law for describing the rate dependent behavior of foams is proposed. The proposed model was based on a phenomenological Zener model: a hyperelastic equilibrium spring, which describes the steady-state, long-term response, parallel to a Maxwell element, which captures the ratedependency. A nonlinear viscous damper connected in series to a hyperelastic intermediate spring, controls the ratedependency of the Maxwell element. Therefore, the stress is the sum of equilibrium stress on the equilibrium spring and overstress on the intermediate spring. In hyperelastic theory stress is not calculated directly as in the case of small-strain, linear elastic materials. Instead, stresses are derived from the principle of virtual work using the stored strain energy potential function. In addition, foams are compressible, therefore classic strain energy functions such as the Ogden strain energy function or the Mooney-Rivlin strain energy function are not suitable to describe hyperelastic behavior of foams. So, strain energy functions must include the effect of compressibility. That means the third principal invariant of the deformation gradient tensor F should enter in strain energy functions. For rate-dependent behavior of foams, history integral constitutive law is used. For the equilibrium spring and the intermediate spring, the same strain energy function is employed. In order to use this stain energy function in history integral equation, the kernel function of it is calculated. The effect of compressibility is considered in rate-dependent behavior of foams too. All material constants were obtained from the results of uniaxial tensile tests. Nonlinear regulation was used to find these constants. In these calculations, Average strain rate was employed to find material constants.