[Back]

P. Helnwein, C.H. Liu, G. Meschke, H.A. Mang:
"A New 3D Finite Element Model of Cord-Reinforced Rubber Composites. Application to Analyses of Automobile Tires";
Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 14 (1993), 1; 1 - 16.

A 3D finite element model for cord-reinforced rubber composites is proposed. It is characterized by superimposing so-called ""rebar" elements, consisting of one or more reinforcing cord layers with arbitrary orientation, on corresponding 3D rubber elements. The rubber material and the different cord materials are represented independently. A Lagrange multiplier method is employed for the large strain analysis of rubber which is modelled by the incompressible Mooney material law. The compressible Neo-Hookean material law is adopted for the cords (rebar elements). It is modified for the special case of uniaxial stress states. The proposed method provides a realistic representation of cord-reinforced rubber composites while minimizing the necessary discretization effort. It is applied to 3D finite element analysis of an automobile tire, involving determination of the pressure distribution in the contact zone and of the radial load-displacement curve. Very good agreement between analysis predicitions and experimental results has been obtained.

Keywords: rubber, composites, rebar element, contact, tire, 3D Finite Element, automobile tires, cord, finite strain

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0168-874X(93)90075-2