Journal article 129 views 8 downloads
Biaxial characterization of soft elastomers: Experiments and data-adaptive configurational forces for fracture
,
Simon Wiesheier ,
Ali Esmaeili,
Mokarram Hossain ,
Paul Steinmann
Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, Volume: 205, Start page: 106339
Swansea University Authors:
Ali Esmaeili, Mokarram Hossain
-
PDF | Version of Record
© 2025 The Authors. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license.
Download (9.52MB)
DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106339
Abstract
Understanding the fracture mechanics of soft solids remains a fundamental challenge due to theircomplex, nonlinear responses under large deformations. While multiaxial loading is key to probingtheir mechanical behavior, the role of such loading in fracture processes is still poorly understood.Here,...
| Published in: | Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0022-5096 |
| Published: |
Elsevier BV
2025
|
| Online Access: |
Check full text
|
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70440 |
| Abstract: |
Understanding the fracture mechanics of soft solids remains a fundamental challenge due to theircomplex, nonlinear responses under large deformations. While multiaxial loading is key to probingtheir mechanical behavior, the role of such loading in fracture processes is still poorly understood.Here, we present a combined experimental–computational framework to investigate fracture insoft elastomers under equi-biaxial loading. We report original equi-biaxial quasi-static experimentson five elastomeric materials, revealing a spectrum of material and fracture behavior—frombrittle-like to highly deformable response with crack tip strains exceeding 150%. Motivated bythese observations, we develop a hybrid computational testbed that mirrors the experimental setupand enables virtual biaxial tests. Central to this framework are two components: a data-adaptiveformulation of hyperelastic energy functions that flexibly captures material behavior, and a postprocessing implementation of the Configurational Force Method, providing a computationally efficient estimate of the J-integral at the crack tip. Our data-adaptive framework for hyperelasticenergy functions proves versatility to capture with high accuracy the hyperelastic behavior observedin the biaxial experiments. This is important because accurately capturing the constitutivebehaviour of soft solids is key for a reliable application of the Configurational Force Method to soft solids. In the limit of crack onset, a critical value of the crack tip configurational force allowsfor a criterion of fracture toughness. Together, our experimental, theoretical, and computationalcontributions offer a new paradigm for characterizing and designing soft materials with tailoredfracture properties. |
|---|---|
| Keywords: |
Finite strains; Data-driven constitutive modeling; Parameter identification; Material model discovery; Soft fracture; Configurational Force Method |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
Miguel Angel Moreno-Mateos, Simon Wiesheier, and Paul Steinmann acknowledge support from the European Research Council (ERC)[http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000781] under the Horizon Europe program (Grant -No. 101052785, project: SoftFrac). Funded by the European Union. Mokarram Hossain acknowledges support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), United Kingdom under the grant (EP/Z535710/1) and Royal Society (UK) under the International Exchange Grant (IEC/NSFC/211316). |
| Start Page: |
106339 |