The Effect of Different Strain Energy Functions on Rubber Fender: Experiment and Finite Element Simulation

Abstract

In this study, a rubber fender with the reduced dimensions of 1:10 of the original was simulated with ANSYS-Workbench finite element software to determine the deformations under compressive loads. Also, the rubber fender was tested by means of compression experiments for determining the actual performance values. Three different strain energy functions were used as the hyperelastic material model in the finite element analysis. The deformation results of simulations and experiments were compared against each other. In this regard, the most suitable strain energy potential was determined to be a hyperelastic material model for the rubber fender.