Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol.43, No.3, 734-748, 2003
Deformation behavior of an epoxy resin subject to multiaxial loadings. Part II: Constitutive modeling and predictions
Based on the experimental data presented in Part I, a nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive model, in differential form, is presented here. A distinctive feature of this model is the inclusion of a criterion to delineate loading and unloading in multiaxial stress states, and different moduli for loading and unloading behaviors. In addition, the model contains only five material constants and one modulus function, which can be calibrated in accordance with a well-defined procedure. A comparison with the experimental data shows that the current differential model is capable of predicting the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of the epoxy polymer qualitatively and quantitatively, including both the loading and unloading behavior. The predictions of an integral form of constitutive model are also included for comparative purposes.