FRACTURE-ANALYSIS OF CRACKED RUBBER COMPONENTS IN 2 AND 3 DIMENSIONS

This paper presents a non-linear fracture analysis of cracked rubber c omponents. The fracture parameter, tearing energy for rubber materials is computed for two- and three-dimensional bodies using the virtual c rack extension method. The crack propagation direction is found by a m aximum tearing energy fracture criterion. To illustrate the finite ele ment procedures developed, three design applications were studied. The results obtained are compared to those available in the literature. T he procedures developed predict the crack propagation direction in cra cked rubber solids.