Nonlinear constitutive modeling of viscoelastic foams: Application to impact protection
Abstract
Elastomeric foams are materials made up of two continuous phases: a polymeric elastomer and air. Due to their elastomeric matrix and porous structure, these materials are highly compliant and capable of undergoing large, reversible deformations involving substantial changes in volume. Moreover, due to the viscoelasticity of the elastomeric matrix, many elastomeric foams display a highly dissipative, time-dependent mechanical response, manifesting in rate-dependence and hysteresis under reversed loading. The scientific objective of this project is to develop a predictive constitutive model for the time-dependent, large-deformation mechanical behavior of elastomeric foams over a wide range of strain-levels and strain-rates. The model will be informed by an exhaustive experimental program for several elastomeric foam materials and validated against experiments in inhomogeneous deformation modes. Finally, a validated description of the bulk response of elastomeric foams will enable us to study other mechanisms for enhanced and tunable energy dissipation Ð such as through the use of interfaces.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 11, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1610084
Entities
People
- David L. Henann
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Brown University
- United States Army