Energy absorption calculations in multiple compressive loading of polymeric foams

Using a new phenomenological constitutive model, energy absorption under multiple uniaxial compressive loading and unloading of polymeric foams, expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyethylene (PE), is studied. Constitutive models developed for multiple uniaxial compressive loading and unloading are used for calculation of stress, strain, absorbed energy, and energy efficiency. Results obtained by using constitutive models available in literature and those of new constitutive model are compared to experimental results for different levels of residual strain. It is shown that the proposed constitutive model is more suitable and accurate for stress, strain, and absorbed energy calculations in multiple compressive loading and unloading.

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