Joint Industry Project on ‘Modelling Rubber’ successfully completed


Rubber Consultants’ Joint Industry Project (JIP) in the important area of ‘Modelling Rubber’ has been successfully completed. The broad aim of the JIP was to enhance tools for designing rubber components using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), while keeping within the constraint of existing software and reduce time frames for design. In response to interest from vehicle dynamics engineers, the JIP was broadened to include simple models of rubber components needed for consideration of the connection between FEA and Multibody Dynamics Analysis as well as material models needed for FEA.

This very successful project resulted in two major achievements. Firstly, modelling dynamic stiffness can be achieved by using an overlay of hyperelastic, viscoelastic and elastoplastic meshes. Methods for fitting the parameters have been developed, based on experience with five representative rubber formulations used for the project. Secondly, a simple criterion for estimating fatigue life can largely be met by a modification of the ‘cracking energy density’ concept developed by one of the participants, based on the fracture mechanics approach developed at the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre over the last 50 years. 

For further information please contact Hamid Ahmadi