Hyperelasticity with rate-independent microsphere hysteresis model for rubberlike materials

The mechanical behavior of elastomers strongly differs from one to another. Among these differences, hysteresis upon cyclic load can take place, and can be either rate-dependent or rate-independent. In the present paper, a microsphere model taking into account rate-independent hysteresis is proposed and applied to model filled silicone rubbers behavior. The hysteresis model is based on a combination of monodimensional constitutive equations distributed in space. The behavior of each direction is described by a collection of parallel spring slider elements. The sliders are Coulomb dampers with non-zero break-free force in tension. This model is tested on a filled silicone rubber by the way of uniaxial tensile and pure shear tests. The mechanical response of the material is well predicted for such tests. Finally, the constitutive equations are implemented in the finite element software ABAQUS. Calculation results highlight good performances of the proposed model.