Mechanical analysis of elastomeric seals by numerical methods

Abstract

A procedure which permits the evaluation of the stress-strain field in an elastomeric seal is presented. Such a procedure is based upon a mechanical modeling of the elastomer and on the employ of finite elements which can cope with high strains. Finally, the above-mentioned procedure is checked against experimental results. The problems connected with the material modeling are examined. In aprticular, the monotonicity of the constitutive relation is discussed. The difficulties encountered in the numerical simulation of the elastomeric seal are investigated. In particular, the convergence problems are discussed. The procedure is applied to a rectangular seal with rounded edges, to an O-ring seal, and to a U-ring seal. The numerical isochromatic pattern is drawn automatically and is compared to the photoelastic one. The validity and limits of the proposed procedure are discussed with regard to the three seal configurations examined.