Modeling and implementation of finite element anisotropic flexural behavior of dielectric elastomer actuators reinforced with cross-angled fibers

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and develop the constitutive equation governing fiber-reinforced dielectric elastomers using finite element software because dielectric elastomers are a class of materials that undergo deformation when subjected to an electric field. As a result, due to this feature and widespread use in artificial muscles, it is very important to study their behavior. In the first step, the stress values are developed and calculated using invariants. Next, due to the nonlinearity of the material behavior, it is necessary to calculate the tangential modulus, which is one of the most important components in the analysis of the finite element model. Finally, according to the results, it is observed that the effect of fiber orientation angle on stress values is inevitable. How the anisotropic material bending rate will increase as the fiber orientation angle increases. Also, increasing the applied voltage, regardless of any orientation of the fibers, is associated with increasing the Kirchhoff stress in the direction shown in the figure.