A Novel Planar Tension Test of Rubber for Evaluating the Prediction Ability of the Modified Eight-Chain Model under Moderate Finite Deformation

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, a novel planar tension test is applied to evaluate the prediction ability of the rubber constitutive models under moderate finite deformation. Based on the automated grid method, it is found that in planar test, deformation in the center region of the specimen is homogeneous but that of the whole specimen is heterogeneous. With three dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) modeling, both the load-stretch relationship and the deformation fields predicted by various constitutive models are obtained under heterogeneous deformation state of the planar tension. By comparing FEA results to the test results, the prediction abilities of these constitutive models are evaluated. According to the results of this heterogeneous planar tension test, the modified eight-chain model is found to be more successful than the eight-chain model and the Van del Waals model in predicting the observed hyperelastic behaviors of rubber material under different deformation states.