COMPUTER-AIDED PREDICTION OF CRACK-PROPAGATION IN RUBBER PARTS

A prediction tool for the crack propagation is developed by the tearin g energy concept and the finite element method. The value of the criti cal tearing energy, at which the crack propagation starts, is determin ed for different initial crack sizes. It is shown, that the critical t earing energy is influenced both by the loading rate and temperature a nd that the time-temperature-shift-principle and the WLF-equation can be applied. A procedure is also introduced to separate the influences of geometry and material on the tearing energy. Finally, the crack pro pagating load can be calculated for rubber parts by the finite element method and the critical tearing energy. Hereby, the calculated and me asured critical loads for crack propagation in a rubber part correspon d well.