Numerical analysis of an elastomeric bearing pad by hyperelastic models

Abstract

Elastomeric bearing pads are responsible for transferring loads at the junction between beams and columns of bridges and viaducts, providing restrict freedom of movement in the superstructure. The elastomeric material of the bearing pad is a synthetic rubber reinforced with carbon black particles and subjected to a process of vulcanization, also represented by hyperelastic material models based on strain energy density functions. The objective of the present paper is to use the finite element analysis software Abaqus® to select the most appropriate hyperelastic model, as well as its constants, applying them in a bearing pad installed in an existing viaduct, evaluating its behavior and displacements resulting from the application of usual loads. The proposed methodology presents results coherent with technical specifications limits for available bearing pads products.

Reliability analysis based on load spectrum: A structural improvement of Indian Railways three-piece freight bogie elastomeric pad

“…Hyper-elastic constitutive models (that predict the mechanical responses of rubbery material in the equilibrium state) and its hyperelastic model computed in the FE platform were explained in various research works. 7,8 Esmail et al 9 proposed a suitable constitutive model dependent on strain energy potential which can characterize hyper-elastic material behavior through uniaxial tension test only, built-in ABAQUS software. The constitutive hyperelastic models are used to fit the experimental results of the uniaxial tension test, check the stability, and obtain the material coefficients.…”

Influence of rubber compressibility on the compressive stiffness of steel‐reinforced elastomeric bearings in finite element simulations considering the shape factor

“…Rubber has been modeled in FE simulations of SREBs under compression as an incompressible hyperelastic material [24,25] or by assuming a typical value for the bulk modulus of 1000 MPa [26,27] and 2000 MPa. [28][29][30] Other researchers applied more compressibility and followed the recommended values of Poisson's ratio for filled elastomers with a K/G of 200 [31] and 50. [32] Konstantinidis and Rastgoo Moghadam investigated the effect of bulk compressibility (K/G = 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000) on the compressive modulus of unbonded infinite-strip and circular pads with different shape factor values (S = 10, 20, 30 and 40) related to frictional restraint (μ between 0.1 and 1.0).…”