[Back]

G. Meschke, P. Helnwein:
"Large-Strain 3D-Analysis of Fibre-Reinforced Composites Using Rebar Elements: Hyperelastic Formulations for Cords";
Computational Mechanics, 13 (1994), 241 - 254.

The well-known finite element representation of reinforcing bars by means of overlay ("rebar") elements is recast in the context of finite strain analyses of cord-reinforced composite materials. The variational formulation including the linearized forms is presented on the basis of hyperelasticity. Three material laws including two variants of the Neo-Hookean model and the quadratic logarithmic model are investigated. An explicit formulation for unixial stress states is given for the Neo-Hookean model. A comparative evaluation with regards to computational efficiency and physical plausibility shows that the logarithmic model is optimally suited for this class of problems and for moderately large strains. The rebar-element concept in conjunction with an incompressible finite element formulation for the representation of a rubber matrix material is applied to comparative finite strain FE-analyses of a cord-reinforced rubber sandwich panel, with different hyperelastic models used for modelling of the ply material.

Keywords: fem, rebar, cords, composites, hyperelastic, rebar element, tire, 3D-analysis, elements, fibre-reinforced, large-strain