Explicit dynamic simulation of high density polyethylene beam under flexural loading condition

Abstract

Improve stability and reliability of machine components has confirmed the necessary needs of using advance materials such as polymers and composites. Specific characterization of polymer materials can improve the altitude of products design by increasing the mechanical feature of structures such as high fatigue strength, longer life and etc. Polymers are known as hyperelastic materials with a complicated mechanical behaviour. An acceptable mechanical analysis of three dimensional (3D) polymer structures depends on a true understanding of applied model on computational methods such as Finite Element Method (FEM). This study focused on stress and deformation analysis of 3D polyethylene polymer panel under three-point bending test using FEM. Explicit dynamic procedure has been used to examine the mechanical behaviour of polymer beam. Two tests of tension and compression is performed on polymer specimens to extract the material properties and used in finite element model. The specimen panel selected thick enough to generate two complicated situation of tension and compression zone while it is under bending load condition. The test was performed to extract the actual response of the specimen by plotting the force-deflection curve and stiffness of structure. The experimental data confirmed well the simulation results and states the accuracy of the analysis process. A discussion is given on effective stress and deformation generated in the polymer panel. A Complex deformation observed at the middle of specimen behind loadcell, that signifying the effect of geometry and boundary condition with respect to hyperelestic behaviour of polyethylene. The computational procedure is recommended for mechanical analysis of polymer structures due to the capability of the model for accurate prediction of hyperelastic behaviour.