A continuum damage model for the high-cycle fatigue life prediction of styrene-butadiene rubber under multiaxial loading

In the present contribution, the relationship between the fatigue life of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and the stretch amplitude was established. Focusing on the multiaxial loading effect on the life duration of SBR, experimental tests were conducted using cylindrical specimens subjected to tension and torsion loadings under constant and variable amplitudes. Based upon the continuum damage mechanics approach, a three-dimensional model was derived and coupled with the cracking energy density criterion to predict the fatigue life of SBR. The capabilities of the model, which requires only three damage parameters to be identified, were analysed and a good agreement between predicted values and experimental data were clearly highlighted for tension and torsion loadings both in constant and variable amplitudes. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.