A large deformation framework for compressible viscoelastic materials: Constitutive equations and finite element implementation

For modeling the constitutive properties of viscoelastic solids in the context of small deformations, the so-called three-parameter solid is often used. The differential equation governing the model response may be derived in a thermodynamically consistent way considering linear spring-dashpot elements. The main problem in generalizing constitutive models from small to finite deformations is to extend the theory in a thermodynamically consistent way, so that the second law of thermodynamics remains satisfied in every admissible process. This paper concerns with the formulation and constitutive equations of finite strain viscoelastic material using multiplicative decomposition in a thermodynamically consistent manner. Based on the proposed constitutive equations, a finite element (FE) procedure is developed and implemented in an FE code. Subsequently, the code is used to predict the response of elastomer bushings. The finite element analysis predicts displacements and rotations at the relaxed state reasonably well. The response to coupled radial and torsional deformations is also simulated. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.