Finite Element Analysis of Lead Rubber Bearing by Using Strain Energy Function of Hyper-Elastic Material

Abstract

The material property of the rubber has been studied in order to improve the reliability of the finite element model of a lead rubber bearing (LRB) which is a typical base isolator. Rubber exhibits elastic behaviour even within the large strain range, unlike the general structural material, and has a hyper-elastic characteristics that shows non-linear relationship between load and deformation. This study represents the mechanical characteristics of the rubber by strain energy function in order to develop a finite element (FE) model of LRB. For the study, several strain energy functions were selected and mechanical properties of the rubber were estimated with the energy functions. A finite element model of LRB has been developed by using material properties of rubber and lead which were identified by stress tests. This study estimated the horizontal and vertical force-displacement relationship with the FE model. The adequacy of the FE model was validated by comparing the analytical results with the experimental data.

Study on the Deformation and Stress Analysis of the Sponge/Rubber Adapter

“…In this paper, the threereduced polynomial constitutive model is used as the strain energy function of the rubber material. Because the volume of the rubber is incompressible, the strain energy function of the rubber is as follows [23,24]:…”