A comparison between pseudo-elastic and damage models for modelling the Mullins effect in industrial rubber components

This paper presents a comparison between pseudo-elastic and damage models based on a three-dimensional finite-strain formulation for modelling the Mullins effect in industrial rubber components. Both models are compared in terms of their qualitative predictions under loading conditions for industrial bushings. The softening behavior of the rubber is reproduced using, on the one hand, the pseudo-elastic model proposed by Ogden and Roxburgh and on the other hand, a continuum damage mechanics model, proposed by Simo, which is also used to describe the softening behavior of soft tissues under large deformation. Both models make use of the concept of internal variables, which provides a very general description of materials involving irreversible effects. Numerical simulations of an axial-compression test of an industrial silentblock are used to compare the performance of both models. These numerical simulations indicate that both models provide reasonably accurate predictions of inelastic behavior in a biaxial (axial–torsional) test of a cylindric rubber. However, the Ogden and Roxburgh model is better able to describe the softening behavior in a rubber bushing (industrial silentblock) than Simo’s model.