Multiscale analysis of the electromechanical coupling in dielectric elastomers

Noy Cohen, Gal DeBotton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

The coupled electromechanical response of dielectrics is analyzed in terms of the local response and the distribution of its microstructural unit elements. A comparison between two variational statements for a continuous and a discrete systems results in an estimate for the macroscopic coupled electromechanical energy-density function. Next, a few types of unit elements are considered and the corresponding behaviors of dielectrics with a random distribution of these elements are calculated. Additionally, to highlight the possible effect of local constraints among the unit elements, a deterministic model for a network of polymer chains is proposed and its response to electric excitation is determined. The practically common case of a uniaxial stretch aligned with the electric field is examined in detail and the results are compared with widely accepted macroscopic models and available experimental results.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)48-59
Number of pages12
JournalEuropean Journal of Mechanics, A/Solids
Volume48
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2014

Keywords

  • Dielectric elastomers
  • Multi-scale analysis
  • Variational principles

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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