An Alternative Technique to Evaluate Crack Propagation Path in Hyperelastic Materials

Abstract

Abstract REFERENCE: R. R. M. Ozelo, P. Sollero, and A. L. A. Costa, “An Alternative Technique to Evaluate Crack Propagation Path in Hyperelastic Materials,” Tire Science and Technology, TSTCA, Vol. 40, No. 1, January–March 2012, pp. 42–58. ABSTRACT: The analysis of crack propagation in tires aims to provide safety and reliable life prediction. Tire materials are usually nonlinear and present a hyperelastic behavior. Therefore, the use of nonlinear fracture mechanics theory and a hyperelastic material constitutive model are necessary. The material constitutive model used in this work is the Mooney–Rivlin. There are many techniques available to evaluate the crack propagation path in linear elastic materials and estimate the growth direction. However, most of these techniques are not applicable to hyperelastic materials. This paper presents an alternative technique for modeling crack propagation in hyperelastic materials, based in the J-Integral, to evaluate the crack path. The J-Integral is an energy-based parameter and is applicable to nonlinear materials. The technique was applied using abaqus software and compared to experimental tests.