Squeezing flow of a viscoelastic solid

We report an exact solution structure to the plane and axi-symmetric squeez ing flows of a viscoelastic solid-like material modelled by a three-dimensi onal analogue of the Kelvin-Meyer-Voigt equation, consisting of the neo-Hoo kean rubber-like finite deformation and the Upper Convected Maxwell models. Although the solution is valid for any prescribed time function for the pl ate velocity, we choose to focus on the oscillatory squeezing flow, where t he top plate is displaced sinusoidally with an arbitrary amplitude. It is f ound that the load can exhibit a significant degree of asymmetry. This is l argely due to the rubber-like elasticity in the response, resulting in a la rger force in the downward phase of the displacement. This, however, can be reversed at a higher Reynolds number, where material inertia dominates. Th is is the first time a non-trivial solution for this class of material is r eported. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.