Finite element modelling of dielectric elastomer minimum energy structures

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• 作者：Benjamin O¡¯Brien ; Thomas McKay ; Emilio Calius ; Shane Xie and Iain Anderson
• 关键词：PACS 46.32.+x ; 77.65. ; j ; 83.80.Va
• 刊名：Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing
• 出版年：2009
• 出版时间：March, 2009
• 年：2009
• 卷：94
• 期：3
• 页码：507-514
• 全文大小：423.0 KB

文摘

This paper presents an experimentally validated finite element model suitable for simulating the quasi-static behaviour of Dielectric Elastomer Minimum Energy Structure(s) (DEMES). A DEMES consists of a pre-stretched Dielectric Elastomer Actuator (DEA) adhered to a thin, flexible frame. The tension in the stretched membrane causes the frame to curl up, and when a voltage is applied, the frame returns to its initial planar state thus forming a useful bending actuator. The simulation method presented here incorporates a novel strain energy function suitable for simulating general DEA actuator elements. When compared against blocked force data from our previous work, the new model provides a good fit with an order of magnitude reduction in computational time. Furthermore, the model accurately matched experimental data on the free displacement of DEMES formed with non-equibiaxially pre-stretched VHB4905 membranes driven by 2500 V. Non-equibiaxially pre-stretching the membranes allowed control of effective frame stiffness and bending moment, this was exploited by using the model to optimise stroke at 2500 V in a hypothetical case study. Dielectric constant measurements for non-equibiaxially stretched VHB4905 are also presented.