Evaluation of the energy parameter J on rubber-like materials: Comparison between experimental and numerical results

• Published in: Engineering fracture mechanics 1996-12, Vol.55 (6), p.919-933
• Main Authors: Hocine, N.Ait, Abdelaziz, M.Nait, Ghfiri, H., Mesmacque, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Engineering Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; finite elements; Fracture; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Fracture mechanics, fatigue and cracks; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); J integral; Mechanical properties; non-linearity; Physical properties; Physics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Properties and testing; rubber; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0013-7944; 1873-7315
• DOI: 10.1016/S0013-7944(96)00046-X

The general purpose of our study is the determination of the energy parameter J when dealing with fracture of rubber-like materials. The energy parameter J is expressed in a multiplicative form in which a calibration factor is introduced in order to take into account the finite dimensions of the specimen. The parameter J, issued from fracture tests performed on S.E.N.T specimen of an E.P.D.M rubber is compared with the the J integral which is computed using a finite element procedure for the non-linear elastic materials with large deformation. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental data when considering the deeply cracked specimen ( a/ w ≥ 0.5). Below this limit, a divergence is pointed out which is attributed to a lack of accuracy of the identification procedure used to determine the experimental calibration factor. When this one is determined using the numerical J integral results, a better concordance is obtained.