Abstract—In this study, a material model for inflatable flexible membrane dam (IFMD) rubber membranes was developed to determine the material properties for finite element method (FEM) analyses by considering the hyperelasticity of rubber composites. In addition to investigating the analytical model at room temperature, realistic models at higher temperatures of 40 °C and 60 °C were studied to simulate the actual dry, hot daytime field environments under which IFMDs operate. Validation analyses were performed for these developed models, comparing the tensile test results of rubbers and nylon woven fabrics obtained from several temperature environments. Internal stress analyses were conducted with the developed model, and the concentrations of stress and strain within the rubber membrane, which had not yet been studied precisely, were investigated. The internal stresses, strains, and deformations under room temperature and high temperatures were analyzed and compared to confirm the mechanical behaviors of the rubber membrane under tensile loading. In addition, bending analyses of the rubber membrane were conducted to understand the internal phenomena of the bending portions.

 

Index Terms—inflatable dam, rubber dam, rubber–nylon composite, hyperplastic body modeling, inner stress, FEM

Cite: Takashi Nakamura and Hiroyuki Nitta, "Analytical Study of Internal Phenomena of Inflatable Flexible Membrane Dams in High-temperature Environments," International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 118-124, May 2018. doi: 10.18178/ijscer.7.2.118-124