Finite element modeling of electro‐viscoelasticity in fiber reinforced electro‐active polymers

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Abstract

In this work, aspects considering material modeling of electro-mechanical coupling in fiber reinforced electro-active polymers (EAP) and the corresponding finite element implementation are considered. We propose a constitutive model that takes into account the electro-viscoelastic behavior of the isotropic matrix and the influence of unidirectional fibers on both the hyperelastic response and the viscous behavior of the whole composite. Two distinct existing models that describe the electro-mechanical coupling, are demonstrated and implemented, moreover, a numerical link between both models for three-dimensional continua in terms of tensor calculus, is identified. We propose the extended-tube model for the elastic response with some of its parameters evolving in response to the electric field, in order to fit electro-viscoelastic experiments. Regarding the finite element implementation, in addition to the deformation field and the electric potential, two pairs of field variables are introduced on the element level, to enforce quasi-incompressibility and quasi-inextensibility. It is shown that using the mixed finite element improves the convergence behavior for the simulation of soft EAP with relatively stiff fibers. Moreover, the choice of the model that expresses the nature of the underlying coupling is shown to noticeably affect the degree of simulated actuation in fiber reinforced actuators.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)1885-2111
Seitenumfang33
FachzeitschriftInternational Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering
Jahrgang122
Ausgabenummer8
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2021
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

Scopus 85101447484

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Bibliotheksschlagworte