A large deformation framework for shape memory polymers: Constitutive modeling and finite element implementation

Abstract

Shape memory polymers commonly experience both finite deformations and arbitrary thermomechanical loading conditions in engineering applications. This motivates the development of three-dimensional constitutive models within the finite deformation regime. In the present study, based on the principles of continuum thermodynamics with internal variables, a three-dimensional finite deformation phenomenological constitutive model is proposed taking its basis from the recent model in the small strain regime proposed by Baghani et al. (2012). In the constitutive model derivation, a multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into elastic and inelastic stored parts (in each phase) is adopted. Moreover, employing the mixture rule, the Green–Lagrange strain tensor is related to the rubbery and glassy parts. In the constitutive model, the evolution laws for internal variables are derived during both cooling and heating thermomechanical loadings. Furthermore, we present the time-discrete form of the proposed constitutive model in the implicit form. Using the finite element method, we solve several boundary value problems, that is, tension and compression of bars and a three-dimensional beam made of shape memory polymers, and investigate the model capabilities as well as its numerical counterpart. The model is validated by comparing the predicted results with experimental data reported in the literature that shows a good agreement.