Stochastic dynamics of dielectric elastomer balloon with viscoelasticity under pressure disturbance

Abstract

Abstract Dielectric elastomers are widely used in many fields due to their advantages of high deformability, light weight, biological compatibility, and high efficiency. In this study, the stochastic dynamic response and bifurcation of a dielectric elastomer balloon (DEB) with viscoelasticity are investigated. Firstly, the rheological model is adopted to describe the viscoelasticity of the DEB, and the dynamic model is deduced by using the free energy method. The effect of viscoelasticity on the state of equilibrium with static pressure and voltage is analysed. Then, the stochastic differential equation about the perturbation around the state of equilibrium is derived when the DEB is under random pressure and static voltage. The steady-state probability densities of the perturbation stretch ratio are determined by the generalized cell mapping method. The effects of parameter conditions on the mean value of the perturbation stretch ratio are calculated. Finally, sinusoidal voltage and random pressure are applied to the viscoelastic DEB, and the phenomenon of P-bifurcation is observed. Our results are compared with those obtained from Monte Carlo simulation to verify their accuracy. This work provides a potential theoretical reference for the design and application of DEs.