Development of Hyperelastic Model for Natural Rubber Containing Weldlines

Abstract

Several constitutive models of non-linear large elastic deformation based on strain-energy-density functions have been developed for hyperelastic materials. These models, coupled with the Finite Element Method (FEM), can effectively utilized by design engineers to analyze and design elastomeric products operating under the deformation states. However, due to the complexities of the mathematical formulation which can only obtained at the moderate strain and the assumption of material used for the analysis. Therefore it is formidable task for design engineer to make use of these constitutive relationships. In the present work, the strain-energy-density function of natural rubber part containing a weldline was constructed by using the Neural Network (NN) model. The analytical results were compared to those obtained by Neo-Hookean, Mooney-Rivlin, Ogden models. Good agreement between developed NN model and the existing experimental data was found, especially at very low strain and at very high strain.