Numerical analysis of shape stability of rubber boot

Abstract

This paper presents numerical models that are able simulate a buckling of the rubber boot. Rubber boot must be able of a large change of its length. A buckling of cylindrical shape of the boot during this deformation would cause a serious problem. Due to the space limitation in an assembly it is quite difficult to find optimal shape of the boot profile which will be able of the required deformation without the buckling. We have created numerical models that are able to simulate mechanical behavior of the compressed boot including the buckling of the boot with an inappropriate profile. Due to the material of the boot (rubber), a nonlinear hyperelastic material model was used in the analyses. The material constants of this hyperelastic model were obtained from the uniaxial and equibiaxial tests of the boot material. Created numerical models were used to design the optimal shape of the boot which eliminates the risk of the buckling.