This book summarizes research being pursued within the Research Unit FOR 2089, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the goal of which is to develop the scientific base for a paradigm shift towards dimensioning, structural realization and maintenance of pavements, and prepare road infrastructure for future requirements. It provides a coupled thermo-mechanical model for a holistic physical analysis of the pavement-tire-vehicle system: based on this model, pavement structures and materials can be optimized so that new demands become compatible with the main goal - durability of the structures and the materials. The development of these new and qualitatively improved modelling approaches requires a holistic procedure through the coupling of theoretical numerical and experimental approaches as well as an interdisciplinary and closely linked handling of the coupled pavement-tire-vehicle system. This interdisciplinary research provides a deeper understanding of the physics of the full system through complex, coupled simulation approaches and progress in terms of improved and, therefore, more durable and sustainable structures.

This book summarizes research being pursued within the Research Unit FOR 2089, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the goal of which is to develop the scientific base for a paradigm shift towards dimensioning, structural realization and maintenance of pavements, and prepare road infrastructure for future requirements. It provides a coupled thermo-mechanical model for a holistic physical analysis of the pavement-tire-vehicle system: based on this model, pavement structures and materials can be optimized so that new demands become compatible with the main goal - durability of the structures and the materials. The development of these new and qualitatively improved modelling approaches requires a holistic procedure through the coupling of theoretical numerical and experimental approaches as well as an interdisciplinary and closely linked handling of the coupled pavement-tire-vehicle system. This interdisciplinary research provides a deeper understanding of the physics of the full system through complex, coupled simulation approaches and progress in terms of improved and, therefore, more durable and sustainable structures.

Elastomers are found in many applications ranging from technology to daily life applications for example in tires, drive systems, sealings and print rollers. Dynamical operation conditions put extremely high demands on the performance and stability of these materials and their elastic and flow properties can be easily adjusted by simple manipulations on their elastic and viscous properties. However, the required service life suffers often from material damage as a result of wear processes such as abrasion and wear fatigue, mostly caused by crack formation and propagation. This book covers interdisciplinary research between physics, physical chemistry, material sciences and engineering of elastomers within the range from nanometres to millimetres and connects these aspects with the constitutive material properties. The different chapters describe reliable lifetime and durability predictions based on new fracture mechanical testing concepts and advanced material-theoretical methods which are finally implemented in the finite element method for structural simulations. The use of this approach allows a realistic description of complex geometrical and loading conditions which includes the peculiarities of the mechanical behaviour of elastomeric materials in detail. Furthermore, this approach demonstrates how multi-scale research concepts provide an ambitious interdisciplinary challenge at the interface between engineering and natural sciences. This book covers the interests of academic researchers, graduate students and professionals working in polymer science, rubber and tire technology and in materials science at the interface of academic and industrial research.

Elastomers are found in many applications ranging from technology to daily life applications for example in tires, drive systems, sealings and print rollers. Dynamical operation conditions put extremely high demands on the performance and stability of these materials and their elastic and flow properties can be easily adjusted by simple manipulations on their elastic and viscous properties. However, the required service life suffers often from material damage as a result of wear processes such as abrasion and wear fatigue, mostly caused by crack formation and propagation. This book covers interdisciplinary research between physics, physical chemistry, material sciences and engineering of elastomers within the range from nanometres to millimetres and connects these aspects with the constitutive material properties. The different chapters describe reliable lifetime and durability predictions based on new fracture mechanical testing concepts and advanced material-theoretical methods which are finally implemented in the finite element method for structural simulations. The use of this approach allows a realistic description of complex geometrical and loading conditions which includes the peculiarities of the mechanical behaviour of elastomeric materials in detail. Furthermore, this approach demonstrates how multi-scale research concepts provide an ambitious interdisciplinary challenge at the interface between engineering and natural sciences. This book covers the interests of academic researchers, graduate students and professionals working in polymer science, rubber and tire technology and in materials science at the interface of academic and industrial research.

Recent developments in order to represent the material behaviour of filler-reinforced elastomers under realistic operating conditions are collected in this volume. Special topics are finite element simulations and methods, dynamic material properties, experimental characterization, lifetime prediction, friction, multiphysics and biomechanics, reinforcement, ageing, fracture and fatigue as well as micro- and macromechanical approaches. Constitutive Models for Rubber VI is of interest to research and development engineers in the industry, and to postgraduates and researchers in all disciplines of engineering and materials science.