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

Autori
Skender, Ana ; Damjanović, Domagoj ; Bartolac, Marko ; Duvnjak, Ivan

Izvornik
Polymer engineering and science (0032-3888) 62 (2022), 12; 4235-4248

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
bulk modulus ; compressibility ; compressive modulus ; finite element analysis ; rubber ; shape factor ; steel-reinforced elastomeric bearing

Sažetak
In finite element analysis of steel-reinforced elastomeric bearings under compression, modelling of rubber as a nearly or fully incompressible material requires special attention. In this study, finite element simulations of circular elastomeric pads and rectangular steel-reinforced elastomeric bearings under compression were performed to analyse the effects of rubber compressibility with respect to different pad geometries and shape factor values. The ratio of the compressive modulus for a compressible rubber to that of an incompressible rubber was also introduced based on the previously derived exact solutions as well as the ad hoc approximations. This ratio accurately represents the influence of compressibility on compressive stiffness in terms of relative compressibility (K/G) and shape factor values. Numerical results were also compared with the experimental results on rectangular steel- reinforced elastomeric bearings with moderate shape factors. Recommended values for relative compressibility of carbon black-filled rubbers in the range of 50 to 200 result in underestimated compressive stiffness, especially for bearings with shape factor values greater than 5. It is recommended to adjust the relative compressibility, considering the shape factor, so that the compressive stiffness does not decrease by more than 50% compared to the incompressible case.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne tehničke znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA